Ill child: Interim Assistant Police Chief Allio resigns early
Interim Assistant Police Chief Joseph Allio has resigned from that position in order to take care for his terminally ill daughter, who is battling Batten Disease.
The Vallejo Police Department announced the resignation of Allio, who was anticipated serving in an interim capacity through the end of the year, earlier this week. Allio officially resigned on Oct. 1.
The Vallejo City Council approved of the newly-created assistant police chief position during its regular weekly meeting on July 14. Although several council members voiced concerns about bringing in an interim assistant police chief, Allio returns to Vallejo “as a seasoned law enforcement veteran,” said Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams. Back in July, Allio said coming back wasn’t a tough decision after Williams asked him.
“I missed the human contact and meeting all the people every day,” Allio told the Times-Herald. “I’ve known Shawny Williams a long time, so when he suggested I come back to help out, it was an easy decision. His heart is fully engaged in this. When he says something it always comes from the heart. I’m a father of six, so I had to discuss coming back with my family, but it was easy to come back.”
Allio received a pro-rated $181,000 per-year salary. A “permanent” assistant police chief was approved for $222,000 a year, roughly $455,000 including benefits. This will be funded out of the VPD’s 2020-21 budget.
Allio took on the role of Interim Chief of Police postretirement to support Williams and the VPD during unprecedented times in our country and department, a news release by the VPD stated. “Despite the many challenges he was facing at home, Allio did not hesitate to answer the call, serving with dignity, fortitude and valor,” the department said.
“I am grateful for Joe’s guidance and support during his time at Vallejo PD,” Williams said in the same news release. “Joe is someone who has always believed in “family-first” and he is my confidant and friend. We at the department fully support and stand behind his decision. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Joe and his family during this time.”
Batten disease is a fatal disease of the nervous system that begins in childhood. Allio and his wife previously lost their daughter, Catie, to Batten Disease at the young age of 22. Allio’s 22-year-old daughter Annie continues her battle against the disease.
The City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department will remain active in the search to fill the Assistant Chief of Police position, but questions from the TimesHerald on when the position would be refilled and by who were not answered by press time.
Allio began his career in the South San Francisco Police Department in 1984. In 1987 he joined the Fairfield Police Department and advanced through the ranks to chief. During his tenure, Allio worked with virtually every assignment, including patrol, investigations, SWAT, youth services, internal affairs and community services. He was a founding member of the department’s Peer Support Team and participated in the development of “active shooter” response training. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute.
Upon returning to Vallejo, Allio said there was a lot to be fixed in the city and he was hoping to be a part of the change.
“The challenge in Vallejo is that the community needs a healthy robust conversation,” Allio said in July. “With a moderator coming in there has to be some level of disappointment because we’re basically saying we have already failed. As police officers we’re often meeting people for the first time when they are in the middle of a crime they are committing. We need to get ahead of that. Let’s start earlier and get out to schools and homes and meet these people before they start committing crimes.
“We need a holistic approach to how we interact. This is not a simple fix. We need reform in all areas, such as housing and poverty. We need to look at ourselves as guardians of the community, but to only put on that warrior hat in certain situations.”