STAFF REPORT

CAMBRIDGE - Late Wednesday night, July 10, newly appointed Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief Robert Danko was arrested by the Washington County Sheriff's Department on alleged domestic incident charges from earlier this month. Danko was promoted to Chief of the Cambridge-Greenwich Police at the July 1 meeting of the Cambridge Village Board. 

Cambridge Mayor Carman Bogle spoke with THE EAGLE late Wednesday night, confirming the news but saying the Village currently had no comment, citing a lack of details. Danko will likely be placed on paid administrative leave in the coming days pending the outcome of the investigation.

Danko is charged with unlawful imprisonment, a misdemeanor, and harassment. He was arraigned in Fort Edward and released. The victim is a woman familiar to him.

Mayor Carman Bogle spoke with THE EAGLE from the Cambridge Police Station where, as a matter of protocol, she was required to change a number of locks and verify the security of all weapons in the department’s possession.

Sergeant Austin Gauthier, who also received his promotion last Wednesday night, will be leading the department in Danko’s absence.

On Thursday, July 11 the Washington County Sheriff’s Department issued a release of information stating that Danko, 44, of Salem was charged as a result of a prior domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Salem. Robert M. Danko was charged with Harassment 2nd Degree and Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree.

Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan told THE EAGLE he did not have a comment at this time.

Bogle and Greenwich Mayor Amanda Hurley indicated they would issue a statement on the matter sometime Thursday, but Bogle later said an emergency meeting would need to be held.

A special meeting was called at 5:30pm. The board immediately entered Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Upon their exit, the board issued the following statement.

“The Village of Cambridge was made aware by Chief Danko of his estranged wife having filed a criminal complaint against him.  In light of the filing of the charge, the Chief has been placed on paid administrative leave so that information can be gathered and reviewed.  The conduct complained of did not occur while the Chief was at work and while this is a private matter between the Chief and his estranged wife, the Village has taken this action so that the legal process can proceed, and the Department can continue to operate.  Insomuch as this is a personnel matter, we will not be making any further comment at this time.”