Wayland’s police chief shall be leaving his submit after having an “extremely inappropriate” sexual relationship and breaking different division guidelines, in accordance with city officers who mentioned the departing chief will obtain practically $400,000 from the city.
Sean Gibbons, who joined the police division 20 years in the past and was sworn in as chief final December, has been on go away since March 31 when city officers realized of sexual harassment allegations towards him. Those allegations included him having intercourse with a subordinate prior to now.
The city employed a legislation agency to conduct an impartial investigation, which revealed that Gibbons violated the police division’s insurance policies concerning sexual harassment, in addition to different guidelines and laws.
Gibbons engaged “in an inappropriate sexual relationship” when he was a patrol officer in 2003, in accordance with the investigation findings from Clifford & Kenny, LLP. Gibbons on the time was chargeable for coaching and supervising the individual he had intercourse with.
Gibbons had “groomed” the person and “taken advantage of his position of power,” in accordance with the subordinate.
“Although Chief Gibbons maintains that their sexual contact was consensual, there is an inherent power disparity …” the legislation agency wrote in its findings.
Gibbons additionally yelled on the subordinate and subjected them to a better stage of scrutiny than others after that they had sexual activity, in accordance with the investigation.
Then years later in 2010, Gibbons is accused of sexually assaulting a subordinate. Gibbons has maintained that it was “completely consensual,” whereas the subordinate mentioned they tried to push Gibbons away through the encounter.
“As the superior officer, it was extremely inappropriate for Chief Gibbons to initiate and engage in a sexual relationship,” the legislation agency wrote.
Gibbons additionally admitted to driving drunk in each 2003 and 2010, which violates the division’s Conduct Unbecoming Policy.
Last December, he violated the division’s Workplace Harassment Policy by referring to an intern as a “nice Jewish boy.”
The Wayland Select Board and Gibbons just lately got here to phrases on an employment settlement settlement, by which Gibbons agreed to resign from his place efficient on Dec. 20.
As a part of the settlement, the city can pay Gibbons a settlement fee of $178,588.75 subsequent month — after which one other fee of 178,588.75 to Gibbons within the following January.
“We have received the report from the firm of Clifford & Kenny, LLP and have reviewed its findings,” mentioned Select Board Vice Chair Dave Watkins. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously. We do not tolerate violations of any of our policies.”
As required by legislation, the city will ahead the investigative report back to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Gibbons didn’t instantly reply to touch upon Monday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”