Gloucester Chief to Step Down After Termination

GLOUCESTER, MA – Chief Leonard Campanello will retire on Jan. 3, 2017. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Campanello have come to an agreement after Theken initiated termination proceedings on Monday.

Earlier this week, the mayor said in a news conference that "disturbing allegations" have come to light regarding aspects of Campanello's relationship with women. Campanello was placed on administrative leave last month, pending an internal investigation. Theken said on Monday that she had reason to believe Campanello had tampered with evidence related to that investigation.

Campanello's city-issued phone went missing after he was put on leave, until it turned up in the mail at his attorney's office in Everett, along with the office key and security fob. The mayor alleged that Campanello mailed it himself after erasing all communication on the phone.

Terrence Kennedy, Campanello's attorney, called the investigation a "witch hunt" after his client's termination.

According to a statement from the mayor's office, Campanello will be on paid leave until his official retirement date.

"The mayor believes that the mutual agreement will help move the City of Gloucester forward from this unfortunate situation, and she thanks the former chief for his service," reads the statement.

Deputy Chief John McCarthy will continue to serve as interim chief. McCarthy has been with the department for over 38 years.

Campanello entered the national spotlight in 2015 when he took an innovative approach to combating the opioid epidemic. He launched the Angel Program in Gloucester in which any addict could come to the police department seeking help, without being arrested. The Angel Program grew into PAARI, which assists police departments across the nation with similar endeavors.

Campanello "stepped aside" from his role with PAARI after he was placed on administrative leave, and the organization has not made any further announcements.

Photo courtesy of PAARI