Brookline Police Chief Ashley Gonzalez was fired on Friday, Oct. 14 by the Select Board in a unanimous vote following a town investigation that found him guilty of sexual harassment.

First sworn in on June 1, 2022, Gonzalez remained as Chief for only two months before the Town put him on paid administrative leave on Aug. 5 after hearing reports of sexual harassment. The town hired Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting, LLC to conduct an investigation into the statements Gonzalez made. That month, Former Deputy Superintendent of Police Jennifer Paster was named Acting Chief of Police.

The investigation recalled the Policy Against Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation: “The Town of Brookline has zero tolerance for the conduct that is described in the policy and that all employees have the right to work in an atmosphere free from discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.”

Select Board Chair Heather Hamilton said Gonzalez violated the Town’s policy against discrimination, sexual harasment and retaliation and the Brookline Police Department’s rules and regulations.

“I know that this is not the end, but a couple weeks ago we were in this same room to welcome Chief Gonzalez and we all had very high hopes for a department that, whether you are a supporter or someone who thinks that they should do better, this was going to produce a different outcome,” Hamilton said during the Select Board meeting.