Braintree Police Chief To Retire Amid Evidence Scandal

BRAINTREE (CBS) – Braintree Police Chief Russell Jenkins has announced his retirement amid a scandal involving mishandled evidence within the department.

Hundreds of drug and weapons cases in Braintree are under further investigation after an audit showed there were "significant administrative errors in the handling and the storage of evidence by the department."

The audit came after two missing weapons were discovered at the home of Officer Susan Zopatti, who had been in charge of the evidence room. Zopatti committed suicide in May.

On Thursday, Mayor Joseph Sullivan announced that he had accepted Jenkins' retirement letter.

"I appreciate and commend his nearly 34 years of service to the Braintree Police Department and community of Braintree. I wish him and his family well," Sullivan said.

Jenkins said he plans to retire at the close of business on Friday, Oct. 7.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as chief of the Braintree Police Department these past four years," Jenkins said.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports