For about a year, Pacific Grove Police Chief Cathy Madalone has been out of the spotlight, reportedly working from home due to an undisclosed injury, followed by a medical leave that began back in April. On Friday, Sept. 27, the city announced she will be retiring on Oct. 12.
The brief press release from City Manager Matt Mogensen only said she had been chief since June 2019 and listed a few accomplishments, such as leading the department to complete accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and establishing a chaplain and peer support program.
Mogensen writes by email that a search for a new chief will begin soon. In the meantime, the department will be led by Acting Chief Brian Anderson.
Madalone released her own statement through the P.G. Police Department, stating the decision was bittersweet.
"The choice comes with a mix of pride and nostalgia. Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life," she said.
Madalone led the department through the early days of Covid-19 shutdowns, quickly followed by having to negotiate a major controversy when residents noticed that a police officer had stickers on his truck representing far-right extremist groups.
The chief quickly put Officer Michael Gonzalez on administrative leave. He was allowed to return, but complaints from residents about his presence continued all summer in the wake of the George Floyd murder by a police officer in Minneapolis.
On Nov. 29, 2020, Madalone announced he was back on administrative leave for an investigation into disparaging posts Gonzalez published on the right-wing social media site, Parler. In Janaury 2021 she announced he was no longer with the department.
Gonzalez eventually sued the city in 2022 for $1 million, alleging they violated his free speech rights. The city settled out of court a year later, paying him $10,000 in wages and $2,000 in withholdings. Both parties agreed the settlement was not an admission by the city of any wrongdoing or evidence of any liability or unlawful conduct.
Beyond that very public controversy regarding an officer, Madalone faced challenges internally. The Weekly has previously reported on multiple claims filed by Pacific Grove city staff alleging they experienced workplace harassment from City Councilmember Luke Coletti. One of those claims, the Weekly has confirmed, was filed by Madalone; the status of that claim has not been publicly reported.