Brookline Begins Search For New Police Chief

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline is beginning its search for a new permanent police chief, officials announced on Tuesday.

Officials last week said the town would post a listing for the police chief position publicly as the first step in the search process. A screening panel of community stakeholders will then aim to recommend a final candidate to the Select Board by the spring, officials said.

"We are eager to do the work of identifying candidates and selecting the person who is ultimately best suited to lead the Brookline Police Department in a way that puts our community first," Town Administrator Chas Carey said in a statement.

The town’s new police chief search comes a matter of months after the Select Board voted to terminate former chief Ashley Gonzalez in mid-October after an investigation into a series of allegations that he sexually harassed employees.

Police Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Paster is currently serving as Brookline's acting chief.

The screening panel to select a new permanent chief will include Police Commissioners' Advisory Committee (PCAC) and Town Meeting Members Karen Ambrose and C. Scott Ananian, Town Meeting Member and Moderators' Advisory Committee Member Joslin Murphy, Select Board Member Mike Sandman and Brookline Community Foundation Director Aba Taylor.

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 11, though there will be preference given to candidates who apply before Feb. 1.

Candidates selected from the pool of applications will be asked to submit what officials this week described as a “written exercise.” The screening panel and Carey will review submissions to identify candidates for interviews with the panel.

Officials will initially review written submissions anonymously. After interviews, the names on submissions will be revealed to allow officials to consider candidates' written comments alongside feedback in interviews.

Some candidates may then proceed to a new phase of the search process where they’ll be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation on a provided topic in a mock Select Board meeting.

The screening panel will recommend a candidate after the mock meeting for Carey to advance to the Select Board following an “extensive background investigation” and reference checks, as noted in last week’s town announcement.

“In approaching this work, the Town will prioritize expediency, transparency and thoroughness,” Carey said.

Gonzalez was sworn in as chief on June 1 before being placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 5.

An independent review by the firm Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting later determined Gonzalez had violated Brookline’s policy against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation, according to a prior statement from the town. Officials said Gonzalez also violated police department rules and regulations against conduct unbecoming a police officer.

Comprehensive Investigations told the Brookline Select Board that it found “multiple admitted, corroborated and sustained allegations of sexual harassment against female employees of the Brookline Police Department,” according to the town’s announcement of Gonzalez’ firing.

Brookline has seen a series of leadership changes within its police department in recent years after Andrew Lipson stepped down from the role in 2020.

The town launched a search process in October of 2021 seeking a new permanent chief. That process ultimately led officials to hire Gonzalez, who had previously helmed the Austin Independent School District Police Department.

Last week, officials said that the new search will rely on extensive community feedback gathered last year to guide the process. Carey is also scheduled to attend a public town Police Commissioners' Advisory Committee meeting currently scheduled for Jan. 30 to further discuss the process.