Police chief of embattled dept. retires

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut police chief is officially retiring amid a scandal over alleged abuse and harassment of Latinos by some of his officers rocks the department.

East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo's retirement takes effect today. He announced his retirement Monday, following last week's arrests of four officers by the FBI for allegedly violating the rights of Latinos through beatings, false arrests and unnecessary searches. The officers have pleaded not guilty.

A lawyer for the 64-year-old Gallo says his client is an unnamed co-conspirator in the indictments and is accused of turning away efforts to investigate the officers' conduct and threatening potential witnesses. Gallo denies the allegations.

Deputy Chief John Mannion, a former state trooper, will become acting chief while town officials search for a permanent replacement for Gallo.