Police Chief Leonard Campanello, whose treatment-based approach to opioid addiction drew praise from the White House, has been placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation.
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“We intend to cooperate fully with the City to bring this matter to a swift conclusion”, Campanello’s attorney, Terrance Kennedy, said in a statement.
When the investigation was announced by Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken Tuesday evening, Campanello said he hasn’t done anything wrong professionally or personally to warrant action against him.
“He seems to be doing a lot of good things for our community, so I hope it’s nothing bad”, said resident Atlee Alman.
Just a few days ago, the chief took personal leave to untangle the growing Angel program from the day-to-day operations of his department.
A statement from the city of Gloucester contained no details on the nature of the investigation of Police Chief Leonard Campanello, and city officials declined to answer questions.
In 2015, Campanello founded PAARI – the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative or “Angel Program”.
Terrence Kennedy, an attorney for Campanello, told WBZ-TV’s Ken MacLeod that the investigation had all developed quickly, within the last 72 hours.
Campanello is credited for starting a program that doesn’t punish addicts who seek help at the police station. It’s comprised of police departments across the nation that pledge to steer opiate addicts to treatment programs instead of the criminal justice system.
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Acting Police Chief David Quinn put out a statement today saying he will hand over control of the department to Assistant Chief John McCarthy when he returns from vacation tomorrow. A representative of the Gloucester Superior Officers Association did not immediately return a message Wednesday morning.
