4 finalists named for top cop job

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August 16, 2012

4 finalists named for top cop job

Those passing assessment to be interviewed Sunday

By Steven Fletcher Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Thu Aug 16, 2012, 12:00 AM EDT

The finalists in Gloucester’s police chief search come from as far as Anchorage, Alaska, and as close as Main Street in Gloucester.

Gloucester’s Police Chief Search Committee has selected four finalists in the city’s search for a new police chief, said City Councilor Paul McGeary, a search committee member.

The candidates are: Kathy Auld, a lieutenant in charge of the Gloucester Police Department’s detectives division.

Stephen Smith, deputy chief of administration for Anchorage’s Police Department.

Leonard Campanello, assistant chief of police in Saugus.

Kenneth Berg, a lieutenant commander for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police, and a Marblehead resident.

The finalists undergo an assessment on Saturday, and those that make it through will be interviewed Sunday at 9 a.m in City Hall’s Kyrouz Auditorium, McGeary said.

“I think it’s a good group,” said McGeary. “From among those four, we should get a chief.”

The interviews come as the seven-month search draws to a close. The committee cut through 42 applications before picking the four and will send its recommendations to Mayor Carolyn Kirk. Kirk will conduct her own interviews before making her pick for the city’s next police chief.

The finalists are a solid and qualified group of candidates said Gloucester police Detective Jeremiah Nicastro, a search committee member.

Auld has served with the Gloucester department for 29 years, and is the highest ranking female officer in its history. She became lieutenant in 2004 and has a law degree from the New England School of Law.

Smith, the Anchorage deputy chief, served as his acting chief from 2009 to 2010, according to the Anchorage municipal website.

Campanello has served as the assistant Saugus police chief since 2009. He has served as the department’s chief of detectives and holds a Master of Science degree with an emphasis in criminal justice.

Berg has worked for the MBTA in Boston since 2008 and is assigned as a lieutenant commander of one of the authority’s districts. He has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College in Springfield.

“The city is very lucky to have qualified candidates like these,” said Nicastro.

Steven Fletcher can be reached at 978-283-7000 x3455, or at sfletcher@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenGDT.