Temple Police Chief John Repetto resigned April 30 following an investigation by an outside agency regarding allegations he was sexually harassing a female employee at the police department, according to documents in the chief’s personnel file obtained through an open records request.

Christopher Balch of the Balch Law Group, which handled the workplace investigation, submitted a recommendation to terminate the chief. He added a definition to the department’s current police employee handbook prohibiting sexual harassment and providing supervisors and department heads with training on appropriate relationships with subordinates.

The investigation began when the alleged victim came forward and asked city officials that her workspace be moved from police department but did not immediately offer any explanation for the request.

The woman, a court clerk who had worked for the city since Dec. 12, was outside of the chief’s chain of command but was assigned to work at the police department, according to records.

In the report, the woman made seven allegations regarding the chief’s alleged sexual misconduct - including that he touched her inappropriately while conducting official police business, called her city-issued cell phone after work hours and volunteered to be her “boyfriend” despite his marital status.

The woman did admit during the investigation that she “has a flirtatious demeanor, which was confirmed through other city employees, according to the report. The woman said the chief began allegedly sexually harassing her after she confided that she was in the process of a pending divorce filed by her husband, according to the report.

The chief told the investigator that he believed the sexual conduct was consensual between the two, according to the report.

The finding in the investigation released in the report concluded that the complaints of sexual misconduct were substantiated and said the chief appeared remorseful, emotional and contrite during the interviews. According to the law firm handling the investigation, “Sexual innuendo and banter is common within the department.”

According to Repetto’s personnel file, he believed several potential witnesses with testimonial evidence about the woman’s behavior were not interviewed in the case.

Repetto, 53, also told the investigators he believed the woman’s actions were retaliatory after learning that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with one of his family members, who ended the relationship against the woman’s wishes, according to the chief’s letter submitted to the city’s administrator Monday.

In the chief’s letter Monday, he also said he disagreed with the findings of the report, which he described as “one sided” for failing to include his rebuttals to the allegations made by the female employee. Repetto was placed on administrative leave with pay on April 24 pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a letter of resignation submitted by Repetto on April 30, he said his resignation was voluntary, and that the decision to resign from his position as chief was not made lightly.

“As you know I have recently become a grandfather and plan to enjoy spending more time with family,” he said in the resignation letter. “I am seeking more financial opportunity than the city can provide.”

Repetto had served as chief of the Temple P.D. since 2004.

Temple Mayor Rick Ford, who was not the mayor when Repetto was hired, said there was nothing in Repetto’s personnel file of a sexual nature when the chief was sworn into office but declined to comment further on the issue.

“As far as the investigation goes, I’m not at liberty to discuss personnel issues,” he said.

Ford said the decision to hire an outside investigator was made by city officials to ensure the investigation was conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

“From a personal stand point, I feel the chief served the city well,” Ford said. “When he left he left in a very professional manner.”

Prior to Repetto taking on the position as police chief, the city had three police chiefs within a three-year period. Ford said city employees plan to begin advertising for a new police chief today through various media and public-safety outlets.

“We would like to have someone with experience as a chief, but we will consider all applicants if they have a strong background in administration,” he said.

The mayor said that although he would like to see someone fill the position as soon as possible, he understood the process could take more time.

“We want to be as thorough as we can and have the best candidate,” he said.

Repetto had come under scrutiny from the public and from members of the City Council this year after officials learned he had made numerous purchases from the police department’s confiscated drug money fund - spending all but $7,490.69 from an account of more than $780,000 in 18 months.

A grenade launcher, riot gear and DUI/Command trailer were among the items purchased for the tiny, 12-officer department.

Before being hired in Temple, Repetto was employed with the Conyers Police Department, Chamblee Police Department, Doraville Police Department and Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office.

Repetto attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., from which he earned a diploma in criminal justice in 2007.