Maturo: Possible Decision on Police Chief Gallo 'Forthcoming'

The following is a press release submitted by the East Haven Mayor's Office. The original release is included in the gallery that accompanies this article.

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. announced today that he would be commissioning a review of the internal report on Chief Leonard Gallo, who has been on administrative leave for over a year. 

Maturo explained, “Our administration is going to conduct a thorough review of the situation regarding Chief Leonard Gallo so that it can be in a position, if necessary, to make a fair and informed decision regarding the Chief’s status.”

Currently, Chief Gallo is on paid administrative leave. The terms of his leave prohibit him from being on police property without supervision and from working for the Town of East Haven. 

Gallo was placed on administrative leave by prior Mayor April Capone in April of 2010 following the receipt of a .

Over a year later at the June 2011 meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, the commission for “possible discipline, up to and including termination.” 

Following the meeting, to consider the charges against Gallo. However, the hearing was never held because an impartial arbiter.  

Maturo explained, “I promised the taxpayers that our administration would take a long, hard look at the situation.  The goal is to resolve it in the most efficient, fair manner possible.  However, that cannot be done until this administration knows all of the facts.”

The materials on hand are voluminous, spanning over thousands of pages. 

However, Maturo stressed the importance of a complete review of the matter.  He explained, “We are going to conduct a thorough review of the situation so that, if and when the time comes, we can make a decision that is in the best interest of the Town and the people who pay the bills: the taxpayers.”

When asked if a decision regarding Gallo would come soon, Maturo concluded, “This is just the first step moving forward. A decision eventually needs to be made but it cannot be made until we know all of the facts. We’re going to tread carefully and make sure the matter gets the attention it deserves. However, I can promise that this review will be conducted as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.”

(Editor's note: All web links to other articles within this piece were added by East Haven Patch.)