First day of hearing for suspended officer concludes

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

More than five hours of testimony was taken during the first day of a disciplinary hearing related to allegations of misconduct and violations of department policies against Officer Christopher Gallo, who has been on paid leave since June 16, 2021.

The hearing is set to resume on April 26 at 10 a.m. in the Select Board Room in Abbot Hall with Marblehead

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer presiding.

Attorneys Gary Nolan and Peter Perroni of the firm Nolan Perroni in North Chelmsford are representing Gallo, while Town Counsel Jane Friedman of the Newburyport firm Mead, Talerman & Costa is representing the town of Marblehead. Gallo is facing discipline up to and including termination on multiple allegations, including that he spent extended periods at home when he

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was supposed to be on patrol, as documented in photographs showing his police cruiser parked in his driveway.

On June 21, 2021, the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General issued a report of a preliminary review, which prompted Marblehead’s former police chief, Bob Picariello, to put Gallo on paid leave and request that the Select Board convene a disciplinary hearing.