City of Oakley Says Former Police Chief Fired Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

The City of Oakley released an investigative report into the actions of former Police Chief Dean Capelletti, who was terminated by the city on Nov. 18, 2021.

The report found that Capelletti, who was hired in September of 2020, had engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with a subordinate employee and that evidence existed that he made sexually-related comments to a Police Department employee and of inappropriate touching of a Department employee.

Capelletti was an “at-will” employee, meaning he could be terminated by the City at any time without cause. He was terminated by City Manager Josh McMurray when the investigative report revealed the inappropriate behavior. “Within hours of learning about the allegations against our former Police Chief, I place him on paid leave and retained a professional investigative firm to determine exactly what took place,” McMurray said. “The results of the investigation made it clear that he lacked the judgment and ethical standards to remain as Chief. The damage to the morale in the Oakley Police Department through his actions and words is significant and we are working every day to ensure a safe environment for all employees and for all that we serve in this community,” McMurray added.

At the time of his termination, Capelletti had been on paid leave for 11 weeks while the investigation was underway. Numerous individuals were interviewed by the outside firm retained to conduct the investigation, Kramer Workplace Investigations of Danville. The names of those interviewed were redacted from the report. Capelletti received four months of severance pay, which was required by his employment agreement.

• Transcript of Redacted Capelletti Interview for PRA Response (00085839xB0EC9)
• Oakley Investigative Report re Police Chief with Redactions for PRA Response_Redacted2

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Dean Capelletti Out as Oakley Police Chief

On Sunday, the City of Oakley confirmed that Dean Capelletti is no longer the Oakley Police Chief after a nearly two-month investigation.

City Manager Josh McMurray shared an official statement Sunday:

On November 18, Dean Capelletti was separated from employment as the City Police Chief.   As this was a personnel matter, I cannot comment further about his separation.   The City’s focus at this time is on searching for a new Police Chief who will uphold the City’s values and effectively lead the outstanding officers and employees who serve in the City Police Department.

Capelletti had been placed on administrative leave since Sept. 3 as the city investigated an incident involving Capelletti. No details behind the incident have been released to the public.

According to several insiders within the city of Oakley, an incident involving another employee prompted the investigation. It is unclear if that employee was also terminated, suspended or faced any disciplinary action for their role in the incident.

For Oakley, the city will be searching for their third police chief in less than 2-years.  Capelletti was hired as the Oakley Police Chief in Sept. of 2020 after serving as a captain at the La Habra Police Department. He had replaced previous chief Eric Christensen who retired in May of 2020.

Currently, Lt. Paul Beard will serve as the interim police chief while the city searches for its next chief.

11:45 am UPDATE

McMurray clarified and said this was not a resignation and no action to any other employees.