Campanello about to bid farewell to Saugus force

SAUGUS – After close to 23 years with the Saugus Police Department, Assistant Chief Leonard Campanello is officially saying farewell as he heads to Gloucester to become chief on Monday.Campanello was officially confirmed as Gloucester police chief after a unanimous vote by the Gloucester City Council earlier this week, according to Councilor Melissa Cox. The vote came more than a month after he was named one of four finalists for the job.?Professionally I think the timing was right for me to move forward,” said Campanello. “It?s hard to move on to a new department, but the Saugus Police Department has a great chief and I?m sure it?s not going to miss a beat.”Campanello, who signed a three-year contract that pays $118,000 a year on Sept. 13, has served in almost every position in the Saugus department and that more than two decades in Saugus has made him well-prepared to become chief.?I?ve been a patrolman, a detective, a patrol sergeant, a detective sergeant ?,” said Campanello. “Work-wise, Saugus has definitely given me the basis professionally to do well.”Police Chief Domenic Dimella said the department will miss Campanello.?He?s done a great job,” said Dimella. “He?s served the town very well. He?s made a lot of friendships here and he?s done a good job as my assistant chief.”Dimella said Campanello was instrumental in putting together several programs in the department, such as the civilian police academy and neighborhood watch. Dimella said Campanello also helped build up the department?s drug unit.?He?s done a lot of good things in the department,” said Dimella. “He was excellent in the drug unit. In its first year it made over 100 arrests and won an award from the Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association. That basically formed what we have today.”Dimella hasn?t made up his mind on a replacement for Campanello, but said his work will be split among the other lieutenants.Campanello started with the Saugus Police Department in 1990 and after being promoted to lieutenant in 2008, he was named assistant chief in 2009. Campanello also has a master?s in criminal justice from Boston University and a bachelor?s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University.Now that Campanello will be heading his own department, Dimella said “the buck going to stop with him now.”?Any problems or issues that arise, he has to make the decision,” said Dimella. “I wish him well and I know he?ll do a good job. He?s a smart guy and he?s been around. He?s seen most anything that can happen in a police department.”The Police Department has scheduled a send-off lunch for Campanello at the police station today at noon.Selectmen Vice Chairman Steve Castinetti said he hates to see Campanello go, but acknowledged leading the Gloucester Police Department is a great opportunity.?I wish him the best of luck,” said Castinetti. “He?s been very professional and very helpful. He?s always available to answer questions or any concerns I might have that have to do with the police.”Selectman Stephen Horlick has been on the board for nine years and has seen Campanello rise through the ranks. Horlick said Campanello?s selection is “well-deserved.”?Gloucester has its problems just like Saugus ?” said Horlick. “Gloucester has a lot of great things up there too, but every community has its issues and needs someone who?s going to be tough on law enforcement. I think he can go up there and make a difference.”Looking back on his long career in Saugus, Campanello said he?s “very, very thankful” and “humbled” to have been able to serve the town for so long.?It?s a huge chunk of my professional life,” Campanello said, “and I hope I?ve served them well.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].