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New London police department in turmoil
Here you'll find all of the articles, video and documents related to the allegations of corruption in the New London Police Department and the harassment claims by Police Chief Margaret Ackley.
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Stories
Mayor calls for drastic police, fire department cuts
May 17, 2012
New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said Thursday that 10 police officers and 25 firefighters will be given layoff notices by June 1 "due to reductions in the administration's proposed budget."
COMMENTS (100)
State police arrest man shot by New London cop in ice truck incident in 2011
May 10, 2012
State police on Thursday arrested Curtis Cunningham, a New Haven man who was shot by a New London police officer after he allegedly stole and crashed an ice truck in August 2011.
COMMENTS (38)
Goode files suit against New London, six officers
May 2, 2012
Lance Goode alleged in January that a city police officer planted drugs on him during an October 2010 arrest. The suit also alleges a second false arrest and excessive use of force.
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New London police committee seeks probe of Ackley
May 2, 2012
The city's Police Community Relations Committee voted Tuesday to ask the City Council and Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio to investigate an "inappropriate" email sent last year from police Chief Margaret Ackley to Kathleen Mitchell, a local political...
COMMENTS (24)
Deputy chief's start waiting on background check, budget
April 26, 2012
Peter Reichard will start work as New London's deputy police chief May 21 pending a successful background and reference check and the inclusion of his salary of $100,500 in the city budget.
COMMENTS (26)
Funding for deputy police chief in New London may turn up
April 26, 2012
The police department may get funding for a new deputy after all, if a possible $200,000 miscalculation in insurance costs in the city's budget is confirmed.
COMMENTS (21)
Day after deputy chief hired in New London, panel votes not to fund position
April 25, 2012
The City Council's Finance Committee voted Tuesday night to recommend no funding for a deputy chief in the 2012-13 budget. On Monday, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced that former New Haven Assistant Police Chief Peter Reichard would fill the...
COMMENTS (36)
Finizio proposes eliminating New London K-9 program
April 23, 2012
Saying it disproportionately targets racial minorities and cutting it could save the city $100,000 next fiscal year, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio has recommended eliminating the police department's K-9 program.
COMMENTS (59)
New London announces hiring of former New Haven officer
April 23, 2012
The mayor appointed a former assistant police chief from New Haven as deputy chief Monday, completing a restructuring of the police department that began in January.
COMMENTS (66)
New London announces new deputy police chief
April 23, 2012
Peter Reichard, a former assistant police chief from New Haven has been appointed deputy chief in New London, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced Monday.
COMMENTS (2)
Ex-NL officer won't be prosecuted for 2011 shooting
April 21, 2012
The state's attorney's office will not prosecute a city police officer who shot an unarmed suspect last August after the suspect allegedly stole an ice truck.
COMMENTS (1)
Segar asks New London to uphold his settlement agreement
April 18, 2012
Former Deputy Police Chief Marshall Segar has written to the city asking it to abide by a settlement agreement it made with him in January, when his one-year contract was not renewed.
COMMENTS (22)
Sale of police dog among actions questioned by New London's Public Safety Committee
April 11, 2012
COMMENTS (17)
Bigger New London police budget for 2012-13 under review
April 10, 2012
The City Council began the budget review process Monday with a police department budget that is proposed to go up by $711,000.
COMMENTS (25)
Former police captain sues New London
April 6, 2012
Former police Capt. Michael Lacey filed a lawsuit against New London Thursday, alleging city officials breached a retirement contract Lacey signed in January.
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New London ‘hoodie' rally planned Sunday
March 30, 2012
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City reaches financial settlement with survivors of 2003 shooting victim
March 27, 2012
New London has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum of money to the survivors of shooting victim David Romero to resolve a wrongful death/negligence lawsuit.
COMMENTS (21)
The Feds are in New London
March 25, 2012
I will say this about New London's Mayor Finizio: He doesn't back down from a fight or shy away from a lawsuit.
On Thursday night, the NAACP, during its second meeting in two months called to discuss complaints against city police and city...
COMMENTS (48)
Mayor Finizio and Chief Ackley are good at laying blame
March 23, 2012
I came to the conclusion that New London had the wrong police chief back in the fall of 2010, when Matthew Chew was brutally murdered on his way home from the pizza restaurant where he worked downtown.
It wasn't that a young man was...
COMMENTS (34)
New London cop fired for role in shooting
March 22, 2012
Officer Thomas Northup was dismissed for unauthorized use of force and unauthorized use of deadly force in the Aug. 24 shooting. The police union immediately filed a grievance.
COMMENTS (50)
City to reclaim $7,000 it says was paid erroneously to chief
March 21, 2012
New London Finance Director Jeffrey Smith says the chief of police should not have been paid for compensation time in two pay periods in January and February.
COMMENTS (47)
Separation deals with former New London police administrators defeated again by City Council
March 21, 2012
One day after the city police union filed a complaint with the state labor board, union President Todd Lynch sued the city and Police Chief Margaret Ackley Thursday, alleging that Ackley punished him for being an outspoken critic. On Thursday afternoon, New London Mayor Daryl Finizio held a news conference to discuss the recent union complaint filed with the state Labor Department and general turmoil within the city police force. The New London police union has filed a complaint with the state Labor Department in which it accuses Chief Margaret Ackley of undermining union business and harassing union executive board members. Former New London police Capt. William Dittman, who retired from the police department after a 35-year career, is suing the city, alleging that the chief offered to pay him "any consideration necessary to induce him to retire.'' New London Police Union President Todd Lynch, an outspoken critic of Police Chief Margaret Ackley, has filed an intent to sue the city and Ackley, alleging they violated his First Amendment right to free speech. Area residents, former employees and civil rights advocates from across the state delivered impassioned testimony Tuesday about their experiences with the New London police and fire departments at a town hall meeting in a packed room at the Second... Officer Roger Newton, who had been under investigation by the city and state after a man accused him of planting drugs, has resigned from the city police force. The Connecticut NAACP organized a town hall meeting to discuss allegations of racism in New London's police and fire departments. The meeting was prompted by two incidents: the firing of Alfred Mayo, a black firefighter recruit who was removed from... New London police Chief Margaret Ackley checked with an attorney for the city before making inquiries about the immigration status of a homicide victim and has been assured she has broken no city laws or executive orders. The New London police union says Chief Margaret Ackley should be placed on administrative leave for her alleged improper investigation into the immigration status of a man shot to to death in the city in 2003. NEW The police union is calling for Chief Margaret Ackley to be put on paid administrative leave so the city can investigate a claim that she may have conducted an improper investigation into the immigration status of... The city police union is "up in arms" about New London's negotiation of retirement packages for two former police captains and has filed a Municipal Prohibited Practices complaint. The two will also receive extended health coverage. The deputy chief, whose contract was not renewed, will receive a year's pay and health benefits as well as a contribution to his retirement savings plan. Officials from the state and local branches of the NAACP are upset with what they call New London's poor track record with minorities and call for federal intervention. The state and local chapters of the NAACP held a press conference Friday to call for investigations into the New London police and fire departments. UPDATED: 7:25 p.m. “We want to make it public that we are upset how business is conducted with minorities in this city,” said Scot X. Esdaile, state NAACP president, during a Friday night rally at City Hall. The state and local NAACP branches are speaking out against the firing of a black New London Fire Department recruit and calling for an investigation into allegations of racial discrimination by the city's police force. Former New London City Councilor Michael Buscetto III confirms that he rejected an offer from the city to pay his legal fees that would have been part of the dispute with police Chief Margaret Ackley. Saying there is no money in the budget to pay for it, New London city councilors reject a $25,000 payment intended for police Chief Margaret Ackley over allegations of harassment against a former city councilor. In a separate vote, the council also... The Day hosted a web chat with New London Mayor Daryl J. Finizio to discuss the beginning of his new administration and news out of the city's police department. When the deputy chief and two captains lost their jobs last week, they walked out of the city's police station with a combined 84 years of experience. William Dittman and Marshall Segar reflect on their careers and the 'strong' department they leave... An internal police investigation into an alleged police beating of a man Dec. 14 outside a detoxification center cleared officers of any wrongdoing but highlighted breaches in numerous departmental procedures. To put in perspective Police Chief Ackley's complaints against former City Councilor Michael Buscetto, I went back and listened to the discussion of her allegations during last September's Democratic primary debate. "It is a very serious... A city police officer suspended Friday after allegations were raised that he had planted drugs on a suspect was found last month to have participated in improper and unprofessional conduct when he attempted to entice a Baltic woman into a drug deal,... New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio and the City Council are both feeling out the limits of their authority under the new form of government, and the question of a $25,000 settlement for the police chief will be part of that process. New London City Council President Michael Passero releases a report of an investigation into Police Chief Margaret Ackley's claims of interference and harassment against former Councilor Michael Buscetto III, raising questions about a proposed... Margaret Ackley files a complaint with the city, saying she is being harassed and is a victim of gender discrimination. Ackley also says in her complaint that she has repeatedly complained about the way she was being treated and that no... Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio, Police Chief Margaret Ackley and State's Attorney Michael Regan have requested the assistance of the Connecticut State Police Central Division in an ongoing investigation into possible police department corruption. Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announces that the city will give police Chief Margaret Ackley $25,000 to settle her allegations that former City Councilor Michael Buscetto III tried to undermine her leadership. The city has fired a police officer for his role in the beating of a man and placed another officer on leave while allegations that he planted drugs during an arrest are investigated. The mayor and the president of the police union plan to meet Monday to discuss union concerns that employees who want to leave the department are being denied access to their personnel files. A video from a New London police cruiser allegedly shows Officer Roger Newton planting drugs before the arrest of Lance Goode of New London on Oct. 20, 2010. UPDATED: 8:30 p.m. According to a copy of the settlement, the city will pay Ackley $25,000 as result of the complaints she made against Buscetto. The mayor announced Capt. William Dittman and Capt. Michael Lacey have... Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio also said at a news conference Wednesday that he will not release a report on allegations lodged by Chief Ackley against former City Councilor Michael Buscetto III. City Attorney Jeffrey Londregan told the council Tuesday that former Superior Court Judge Beverly Hodgson has filed a report on the allegations made by Chief Margaret Ackley against former City Councilor Michael Buscetto III. But when the council... Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said there will be an investigation into allegations that police officers assisting an ambulance crew at an alcohol detoxification center Wednesday night punched, pepper-sprayed and smashed the head of a man repeatedly... New London Mayor-elect Daryl Justin Finizio said it had been a pledge of his since January to keep both chiefs if elected, and that Police Chief Margaret Ackley and Fire Chief Ronald Samul have agreed to stay on. The battle between the New London police chief and a city councilor who is running for mayor continues, with the Board of Ethics setting a hearing to discuss what may ultimately be just a footnote in the three-month-long saga. The Board of Ethics says it has found probable cause to investigate allegations by Police Chief Margaret Ackley that City Councilor Michael Buscetto III violated the city's Code of Ethics, and will meet tonight to set a hearing date. City Councilor Michael Buscetto III on Saturday released a copy of an ethics complaint in which Police Chief Margaret Ackley says he failed to recuse himself from a City Council discussion of her allegations of his misconduct. In an "open letter" published as an ad in today's Day, the New London police union takes Chief Margaret Ackley to task for having created a "managerial crisis" and a negative atmosphere in the department. New London police Chief Margaret Ackley, who two weeks ago accused a city councilor of undermining her authority and announced that she planned to retire, got a burst of public support Tuesday from a former mayor and several other residents. The chairman of the panel says it and not the City Council should investigate the chief's accusations against Councilor Buscetto. Chief Margaret Ackley will remain at her post at least until Dec. 31, according to an agreement she has with the city, and when she retires she will be paid a lump sum of about $64,000.
COMMENTS (9)
New London, police chief are targeted in lawsuit March 16, 2012
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Finizio discusses police turmoil with reporters March 15, 2012
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Chief Ackley skewered in police union accusations March 15, 2012
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New London officials Glover, Hyslop invited to second NAACP forum March 14, 2012
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Former police captain targets city in lawsuit March 9, 2012
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Union head suing city, police chief February 28, 2012
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City police, fire departments take hits February 22, 2012
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New London officer who faced investigation resigns February 22, 2012
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Meeting addresses racism in police and fire departments February 22, 2012
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Ackley sought legal advice in immigration status inquiry February 16, 2012
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Ackley targeted for immigration probe February 11, 2012
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NL police union wants Ackley placed on administrative leave February 10, 2012
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City should find common ground with NAACP February 1, 2012
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Captains' retirement deal angers New London police union January 31, 2012
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Retired New London police captains will keep salaries until July January 25, 2012
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Norwich hires 2 former NL police officers January 23, 2012
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NAACP seeking federal scrutiny of discrimination allegations in New London January 21, 2012
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NAACP speaks out against NLPD, NLFD January 20, 2012
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State, local NAACP officials call for 2 separate New London investigations January 20, 2012
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NAACP speaks out against recruit's firing, seeks investigation into city police January 20, 2012
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Buscetto declined offer for legal fees January 19, 2012
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Council rejects $25,000 Ackley settlement January 18, 2012
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Read the transcript of the chat with New London Mayor Finizio
January 17, 2012
COMMENTS (7)
Outgoing officers reflect on careers with New London Police Department January 15, 2012
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Police report on SCADD arrest incident clears officers January 12, 2012
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Ackley vs. Buscetto: The saga will go on January 11, 2012
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Accused New London police officer was cited in earlier case January 10, 2012
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Ackley settlement fight will test city's charter January 10, 2012
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Close sideshow, focus on serious matters January 10, 2012
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Report: New London didn't allow discrimination against Police Chief Margaret Ackley January 8, 2012
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Chief Ackley has complained about harassment before January 8, 2012
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State police investigating possible corruption in New London department January 7, 2012
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Chief Ackley gets $25,000 from City of New London January 7, 2012
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One police officer fired, one placed on leave in New London January 7, 2012
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New London police union questions city cooperation as officers try to leave the department January 7, 2012
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Video: New London police officer allegedly plants drugs January 7, 2012
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City settles with police chief; Buscetto says it's part of 'smear campaign' January 6, 2012
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City denies The Day’s FOI request to release Ackley complaint January 6, 2012
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Ackley to remain New London police chief; Segar is out January 5, 2012
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New London City Council's access to report it commissioned on Ackley complaint denied January 4, 2012
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Police release photo of man witnesses say was beaten by New London police December 29, 2011
Reuben J.
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New London police accused of brutality December 17, 2011
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Chiefs retain positions as mayor-elect goes forward November 19, 2011
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New London police chief drops ethics complaint vs. city councilor November 17, 2011
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Ackley backer Waller isn't recusing herself from ethics board for Buscetto hearing November 4, 2011
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Buscetto's attorney questions Ethics Board's investigation into police chief's complaint November 3, 2011
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Ackley vs. Buscetto to play out over three New London ethics hearings October 25, 2011
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Board will investigate Ackley ethics complaint against Buscetto October 24, 2011
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New London City Council hires former judge to investigate Police Chief Ackley's complaint October 18, 2011
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New London's Councilor Buscetto releases copy of ethics complaint September 25, 2011
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New London Board of Ethics urged to drop Buscetto inquiry September 21, 2011
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City police chief criticized in open letter from union September 10, 2011
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Ethics board holds closed meeting on Ackley claims September 8, 2011
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Ackley gets dose of public support September 7, 2011
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Ackley files complaint with New London's ethics board September 3, 2011
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New London police chief’s comments to the City Council September 1, 2011
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Ethics board weighs in on Ackley dispute August 31, 2011
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Deal has New London police chief staying on at least until end of year August 26, 2011
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Related Documents
Ackley's harrassment claims
Judge Hodgson's final report on Chief Ackley's complaintRelated content
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