Allegations of forging documents and physical abuse made by the Cohasset Police Union against Cohasset Police Chief Mark DeLuca, formerly Duxbury’s chief, were made public at a Board of Selectmen’s hearing last week. DeLuca did not attend the meeting.

In a letter to DeLuca dated May 25, Cohasset Town Manager Michael Milanowski wrote that the allegations of misconduct received by his office “… include but are not limited to, using your position as police chief to secure benefits for which you and others were not entitled to, forging important documents, physical abuse and abusing your authority during an internal affairs investigation.” The letter also informed DeLuca that he was immediately placed on paid administrative leave and that he was to turn in his badge, firearm, computer and department vehicle.

Multiple efforts to reach DeLuca were not successful.

Milanowski detailed the chain of events leading up to DeLuca’s paid leave. In it he indicates the matter first came to his attention on May 24 when Cohasset police union president Patrick Reardon stopped by Milanowski’s office with a letter “outlining quantifiable allegations to be investigated.”

A statement released to the press by Reardon states “(t)his is not a union matter” and that “(t)his is a matter of ethics, dignity and respect.” When asked to comment further, Reardon said he could not in order to protect the integrity of the process.

“We look forward to a complete and thorough investigation,” said Reardon. “We’re going to let the process work itself out. The (members of the police department) want to do our jobs and focus on serving the people of Cohasset.”

The town manager referred the case to Cohasset’s town’s counsel, Deutsch Williams of Boston, to conduct a full investigation.

Selectman Leland Jenkins said this was a matter undertaken by Town Manager Milanowski, as is his duty under Cohasset’s Town Manager Act.

“It’s the union against the chief, not the town against the chief,” said Leland, adding he wanted to see the investigation play itself out before commenting further.

Chair of the Cohasset Board of Selectmen Paul Carlson said the allegations are serious.

“It’s being handled by the town manager, and the members of the board of selectmen are not involved at this stage,” said Carlson. “It’s (Milanow-ski’s) responsibility to do this. We don’t have the authority to tell him what to do.”

When asked if he was concerned about the allegations made against DeLuca by the police union, Carlson said, “Yeah, I think everybody should be concerned and keep an open mind and find out what the truth is. These are serious allegations and we are taking them very seriously.”

DeLuca’s tenure as Duxbury’s police chief was marred by allegations of favoritism and intimidation of police officers and town officials. In February, DeLuca filed a civil suit in federal district court against the Town of Duxbury, Town Manager Richard MacDonald and former Chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen Elizabeth Sullivan claiming a violation of his First Amendment rights. In the complaint, DeLuca alleges his contract with the town was not renewed in 2009 due to his “supporting the organization of a management union.”

Following is a copy of the letter sent to DeLuca by Milanowski. To read the timeline of events leading up to DeLuca being placed on paid administrative leave as outlined by Milanowski and the full statement of Cohasset Police Union President Patrick Reardon sent on New England Police Benevolent Association letterhead, please visit our web site. All documents appear as received by the Clipper.

VIA HAND DELIVERY

Mark DeLuca

(Address)

(Address)

RE:  Notice of Paid Administrative Leave

Dear Chief DeLuca:

Numerous serious allegations of misconduct against you have just been received by this office.  These allegations include, but are not limited to, using your position as police chief to secure benefits for which you and others were not entitled to, forging important documents, physical abuse and abusing your authority during an internal affairs investigation.

Obviously, these and other allegations are serious and require an immediate investigation in order to determine if they have merit.  Accordingly, please be advised that you are being placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, while the Town investigates these and other allegations of misconduct.  While on paid administrative leave, you are not to report to work unless advised otherwise by my office.  You are to turn in your badge, firearm, computer, Department vehicle and any other Department issued property in your possession.  Finally, you are not to interfere in any way with the Department’s investigation in any way.

Sincerely,

Michael Milanoski

Town Manager

Town ofCohasset

Timeline of events last week with Police Chief

Following a three hour SSREC meeting with the Police / Fire Chiefs and their Deputies on Tuesday May 22nd I sent an email off to Paul DeRensis stating that I'm looking to extend both Chiefs positions for another three years and asked that they draw up a new contract.

Thursday 24th

Union President and another member from Union stopped by office.

Spoke with State Director of the NEPBA Union – received letter laying out quantifiable allegations to be investigated.

Spoke with Attorney from DW on issues – discussed and laid out next steps

Spoke with members of the Board of Selectmen – provided overview and next steps

Three hours with Detective Lieutenant on list of allegations the union state director ask be investigated.

Two hours with the Deputy Chief on list of allegations union state director ask to be investigated.

Friday the 25th

Received multiple pieces evidence to back up in part NEPBA ‘s allegations against the Chief of Police.

Met with members of the BoS

DW drew up document for Paid Administrative Leave document

Met with Chief of Police at 10:30 am – stated that this has come as a surprise to me as he knew I was supporting him.  On Tuesday I had sent a request for three year contract extension, I supported him on multiple issues (K-9 and Overtime) that he has thanked me for.  However, at this point I am forced to suspend him with pay while an investigation takes place and provided him the Paid Administrative Leave letter.

Later that day the following press release was issued after calls were received:

Cohasset---Acting Town Manager Michael Milanoski has placed the Chief of Police on paid administrative leave this afternoon pending an investigation by the Town. This action has been taken after the Town received multiple allegations against the Chief of Police from the Town's police union according the Union President Patrick Reardon.  These allegations require investigation in order for the Town to determine whether they have any merit.  Pending investigation the Town cannot provide any further details and has reached no conclusions about the allegations.  The Town Manager announced that pending the investigation and its results Fire Chief Bob Silvia will be overseeing Public Safety Operations for the Town on a temporary basis. In addition, Deputy Police Chief Bill Quigley will be managing the day to day operations and personnel of the Police Department.

Full statement of Cohasset Police Union President Patrick Reardon sent on New England Police Benevolent Association letterhead:

An open letter to the residents of Cohasset,

The members of the Cohasset Police Union, NEPBA Local 66 and the Cohasset Superior Officers Union, NEPBA Local 84,would like to thank Town Manager Michael Milanoski for his decisive actions regarding the allegations made by the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA) against Chief Mark DeLuca on their behalf. It is now, and will continue to be the sole mission of the men and women of the Police Department to provide the very best police services to the residents of Cohasset. This is not a union matter. This is a matter of ethics, dignity and respect. The decision to seek assistance from the Town Manager was not taken lightly. The men and women of the department respect the community and wish only to provide professional police services without a hostile work environment. The men and women of the department believe that upon completion of an investigation, the community will realize that this action was not only warranted, but vital, in order to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism within the Cohasset Police Department.


Sent via email:
Cohasset Board of Selectmen
Cohasset Town Manager
NEPBA Local 66 Executive Board
NEPBA Local 84 President 
Editor of Cohasset Mariner
NEPBA Executive Director