Police chief of embattled Conn. department retires


February 3, 2012 at 10:21a.m.

Police chief of embattled Conn. department retires

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut police chief is officially retiring as a scandal over alleged abuse and harassment of Latinos by East Haven officers rocks the department.

East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo’s retirement takes effect today. He announced his retirement Monday, following last week’s arrests of four officers by the FBI for allegedly violating the rights of Latinos through beatings, false arrests and unnecessary searches. The officers have pleaded not guilty.

A lawyer for the 64-year-old Gallo says his client is an unnamed co-conspirator in the indictments, accused of turning away efforts to investigate the officers’ conduct and threatening potential witnesses. Gallo denies the allegations.

Deputy Chief John Mannion, a former state trooper, will become acting chief while town officials search for a permanent replacement for Gallo.