Braintree Deputy Police Chief Placed on Leave

BRAINTREE, MA — Braintree second highest ranking officer is reportedly off the job following the revelations of an audit of the department's evidence room.

Sources tell WCVB that Deputy Chief Wayne Foster has been placed on paid administrative leave, effective Monday.

Reports say that Officer Susan Zopatti, who was in charge of the evidence room, was disoriented at work and needed help. She committed suicide in May about a week after talking to an auditor.

Released earlier this month, the audit of the evidence room revealed a room in disarray. The results show thousands of pieces of evidence either tampered with or missing and about $408,000 unaccounted for.

Last week, Police Chief Russell Jenkins announced his intent to retire on Oct. 7.

When asked for comment, Mayor Joseph Sullivan said he is unable to speak on the topic because the issue is a personnel matter.

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