Weymouth mum about inquiry, why police chief put on leave

Weymouth officials have yet to explain why their police chief is on paid administrative leave.

Two weeks have passed since James E. Thomas was placed on leave. An internal investigation is underway, and lawyers have advised town officials to stay tight-lipped until the probe is complete, which could take another week.

Thomas, 59, was out on sick leave when the inquiry began. The police chief underwent heart bypass surgery earlier this week and is now recovering at home, said Jack Collins, general counsel to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, who is advising Thomas.

But residents are wondering why Thomas, a 34-year veteran who is close to retirement, was asked to turn in his gun and badge.

As of yesterday, Collins said that he still did not know why Thomas was under investigation and that his client declined to comment.

"There are lots of rumors going around," said Collins. "But I think the town is being fair. They're still investigating."

A private investigator hired by the town is conducting interviews. Weymouth officials hired the Boston law firm Kopelman and Paige to oversee the process. Captain Brian Callahan is filling in as interim chief.

"We were retained to supervise the investigation," said David C. Jenkins, a lawyer with Kopelman and Paige. "We've reviewed the interviews that have taken place. . . . There have been a series of interviews. The investigator still needs to do a couple more interviews."

Jenkins said the investigation is "strictly internal," and no state or federal agencies are involved. Jenkins expects it will wrap up in seven to 10 days. At that point, Kopelman and Paige will review the investigator's final report and make a recommendation to the mayor on how to proceed.

"We've advised the city that while that matter is under investigation, it would be a violation of Massachusetts law to disclose the allegations," said Jenkins.

Thomas, a Weymouth native, joined the department in 1974 as a patrolman and rose through the ranks. By 1993 he was a captain and head of the internal affairs department. He was named acting chief in June 2003 and was officially appointed chief in February 2004. Last summer, Thomas mulled running for mayor and took out nomination papers but ultimately decided against it.

Thomas was placed on paid administrative leave July 10. At the time, he was on sick leave and getting ready to have open heart surgery. Thomas was asked to turn in his badge, gun, and computer passwords, which is a standard procedure for anyone who gets placed on administrative leave, Jenkins said.

"We thought it was fair to place him on administrative leave, rather than have him use his own sick time," said Jenkins.

If the chief is not cleared, disciplinary hearings may be held. The decision will ultimately rest in the hands of Mayor Susan M. Kay, Jenkins said.

Kay did not return a phone call seeking comment.

"At this point, the chief hasn't been shown to have done anything," said Jenkins. "We will wait for the outcome of the investigation."

Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com.