Gloucester Mayor Accepts Embattled Police Chief's Decision To Retire

GLOUCESTER (CBS) --  Gloucester's mayor has agreed to allow the city's police chief to retire.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken announced Monday she was taking steps to fire the nationally-recognized Police Chief Leonard Campanello due to what she called a "lack of integrity" during an investigation into his alleged inappropriate conduct with women.

Theken said Campanello, who was placed on paid leave without explanation last month, destroyed evidence on his city-issued cell phone that the city had requested as part of their investigation, and then lied about doing so.

Theken said Thursday she has accepted Campanello's decision to retire. Gloucester Deputy Chief John McCarthy has been named the interim chief.

"I'm humbled to lead the next chapter for the Gloucester Police Department," McCarthy said in a statement. "The citizens of Gloucester remain our number one priority and under my command, I will ensure the police department continues this mandate."

Campanello has gained national headlines for his efforts with the Gloucester Angel Program, which allows heroin addicts to receive treatment rather than be arrested.

Campanello said in a statement Thursday that he plans to continue "changing the way law enforcement and other entities deal with those they serve in a non-judgmental and empathetic way."

"Not only is retirement in the best interest of myself, and my family but it will ensure that the City of Gloucester may move forward in a manner that
the administration believes is best for the community," Campanello said in a public statement Thursday.

According to the Mayor's office, Campanello will remain on paid leave until his contract ends on January 3, 2017.

He will keep his pension. Campanello would only lose it if he's convicted of a crime related to the job.