Officials in the Massachusetts town of Brookline have placed the chief of police on leave after he was accused of violating a town policy. Brookline Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said in a statement that last week, town officials were made aware of multiple allegations that police Chief Ashley Gonzalez violated the town’s policy against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation. The town immediately began an initial review of the allegations and Gonzalez was placed on paid administrative leave Friday afternoon, according to Kleckner.” The town has a strict zero-tolerance policy against discrimination , sexual harassment and retaliation committed by or against its employees,” Kleckner said in his statement. “We are committed to supporting the investigation, which will determine the facts, and responding accordingly.” Kleckner said the town has hired Quincy-based Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting to conduct a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations. The outside investigation by Comprehensive is being led by former Secretary of Public Safety and Worcester County First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Bennett and former Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin.Gonzalez will remain on paid leave pending the outcome of the review by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting.In March , Kleckner selected Gonzalez as his recommendation to be Brookline’s new police chief.The Brookline Select Board then confirmed Gonzalez’s appointment as chief of police in April.Gonzalez has more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement and was most recently the chief of the Austin Independent School District Police Department in Texas.
Officials in the Massachusetts town of Brookline have placed the chief of police on leave after he was accused of violating a town policy.
Brookline Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said in a statement that last week, town officials were made aware of multiple allegations that police Chief Ashley Gonzalez violated the town’s policy against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
The town immediately began an initial review of the allegations and Gonzalez was placed on paid administrative leave Friday afternoon, according to Kleckner.
“The town has a strict zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation committed by or against its employees,” Kleckner said in his statement. “We are committed to supporting the investigation, which will determine the facts, and responding accordingly.”
Kleckner said the town has hired Quincy-based Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting to conduct a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations. The outside investigation by Comprehensive is being led by former Secretary of Public Safety and Worcester County First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Bennett and former Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin.
Gonzalez will remain on paid leave pending the outcome of the review by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting.
In March, Kleckner selected Gonzalez as his recommendation to be Brookline’s new police chief. The Brookline Select Board then confirmed Gonzalez’s appointment as chief of police in April.
Gonzalez has more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement and was most recently the chief of the Austin Independent School District Police Department in Texas.
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