Residents protest ouster

Technically, Mark M. DeLuca isn’t gone yet. He’s on administrative leave with pay, and his contract doesn’t expire until Nov. 20. But the fallout over the decision not to renew DeLuca’s contract could be felt for months to come.

A search for a permanent police chief is under way; a lieutenant has filed a discrimination complaint after not getting the job; and sore feelings linger among DeLuca’s supporters, who believe he was unfairly forced out of the job.

The saga began in June, when Town Manager Richard R. MacDonald informed DeLuca that his three-year contract would not be renewed. MacDonald hasn’t publicly explained the reasons for his decision.

DeLuca, a Dorchester native and former Boston police officer, had been Duxbury’s police chief since 1999. Some residents questioned MacDonald’s decision and wonder why DeLuca had to leave.

“I personally think the decision was not made in the best interest of the town,’’ said Selectman Christopher R. Donato, an outspoken supporter of DeLuca.

Donato said DeLuca had not had a personnel evaluation in three years, and that his contract was not renewed “for a reason that has yet to be explained to anybody.’’ The selectman described DeLuca as a hard-working, single father of five who successfully led the Duxbury Police Department for a decade.

“He’s developed into a tremendous police chief,’’ said Donato. “I look at that 10 years on the job as an investment made by Chief DeLuca, and the town. We’re throwing all that money, time, and effort away.’’

DeLuca also received support from residents who signed a petition. John Canty, who volunteered his time collecting signatures at the transfer station, said that about 650 signatures were gathered.

Canty presented the petition to selectmen at their packed, and sometimes contentious, meeting Sept. 28. More than two dozen people spoke during the public comment period - most of them speaking favorably of DeLuca or questioning his departure.

“There was a strong public outcry, to no avail, apparently,’’ said Canty.

MacDonald has remained mum. “I knew it had the potential to be divisive,’’ said MacDonald. “In the same vein, I’m put in this post to make decisions. This was a difficult decision, but I felt it was in the best interest of the community.

“I appreciate all of the support from the community on this issue, and it’s time for us to move on,’’ said MacDonald.

MacDonald said the town is paying $14,000 to BadgeQuest, a public safety consulting firm based in West Yarmouth, to help in the search for a new police chief. DeLuca’s salary is $119,169, according to town records. While the search proceeds, the transition in leadership at the Duxbury Police Department has had a rocky start.

On Oct. 6, Lieutenant Susan B. James, 57, filed a discrimination complaint against the town and MacDonald, after she found out that Lieutenant Lewis Chubb was chosen as acting chief. In her one-page complaint to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, James said that as the senior lieutenant on the force, she should have been tapped as acting chief and receive a 10 percent pay increase.

“By appointing Lt. Chubb, instead of myself, to be Acting Chief of Police, the Town and Duxbury, and the Town Manager, Richard MacDonald, discriminated against me on the basis of age and gender,’’ she wrote.

James did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The town has since tapped an outsider to serve as interim police chief. On Nov. 2, Stephen Doherty - a retired chief of the Wakefield Police Department - was chosen to fill in until a permanent chief is hired.

After just a few days on the job, Doherty called Duxbury “a gorgeous oceanfront community’’ and added that “the people have all been very professional.’’

Doherty, who lives in Watertown, expects his stint to last four to five months. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide the department with professional leadership with an eye toward a more permanent chief coming on,’’ he said.

DeLuca said he couldn’t discuss the situation because he was still in buyout negotiations with the town.

He is also looking for work. “I’m shopping around right now,’’ he said.

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