To understand why Police Chief John DiVenere was suspended today, you really need to read the executive summary of consultant Lori Coppinger's report on the handling of Office Marc Blazejowski, who is out on sick leave.
You can read the PDF of the report here.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
32 comments:
I could say I can't believe that the Chief would allow this guy to stay a cop but if you read the report on the Connecticut State Police that was done by the AG and NY State Police you will find that it is pretty typical to keep bad cops on the beat in Connecticut.
Cliffs Notes on the report provided:
- Corruption
- The wrong people doing the wrong job
- not having the public's best interest when making decisions
- insecurity through the ranks
What a mess. 2010 was not a good year for BPD and it appears to be the direct outcome of incompetence.
The back scratching has got to stop in this city.
If you didn't read the report, I suggest taking the 10 minutes to do so, its a real eye opener.
Wow, does this scare the hell out of anyone else?
Interesting reading. Sounds like the Chief wants to fire people but Ferguson, Ward and Corp Council say it's too expensive. Ward admits to not reading important information after he is caught "not remembering" being told about the information. And now the Chief gets suspended for an investigation? Who is investigating Ward and Ferguson?
Sounds like the Chief is trying to do his job but the people higher than he is won't let him.
I agree! John is an honorable man. He is being used to hide the failures of others. Hang tough John.
I can't help but wonder about the 10/11/02 patient in full arrest who wasn't helped for "several minutes" until another officer arrived on the scene.
It is so sad that in this day and age a Chief can be suspended for doing his job. It sounds like the higher ups are trying to sweep things under the carpet and keep Bristol looking like Mayberry RFD. What planet are they from?
The Mayor may have hung himself out to dry with this one. He can't possibly discipline the Chief without disciplining himself. I, for one, am getting tired of the Mayor constantly claiming ignorance with each and every matter. Shouldn't the standard be "he should have known" at that level of goverment? Seems like he should have also suspended himself. By the way, why isn't anyone holding the police commission members responsible for any of this? Aren't they an oversight board? Maybe time to ask for some resignations there too.
Not inconsistent with Wards modus opereandi
Can the mayor suspend the police chief? Where is the police commission in all this?
This reminds me of teh movie High Noon, where the sheriff is called in to clean up the town, and when he does, the town turns their back on him, and a Clint Eastwood movie, who chucks his badge on teh desk, again after he eliminates the bad guys, and is almost fired for it.
Life imitates art so they say, and Bristolis no different.
Bristol Believer
Some inconsistencies in the report, ands sometimes it is not clear who is being referred to
Too many issues under the Chief's watch. This goes back to the hidden case files, investigations not being performed or followed up, Britt and Valentine's WNFR, Britt's DUI issues, Mosback's DUI and the list goes on and on. He is ultimately responsible. Personnel Director has some responsibility as well. Time to clean house.
And, yes, what exactly is the funtion of the police commission? Seems like we need new players there as well.
as bad as things r
they could be worse
i could be paying property taxes in bristol
and paying for this nonsense
--stretch
This is ridiculous! Ward suspended the Police Chief.To me it sounds like he did it because coskayne is begging? Ward should stand for what he believes instead of trying to say what other politicians want him to say or do. Ward, defend your position instead of changing your mind or conveniently loosing your memory!
Divide and conquer...Art do you see what is happening to you both?
Looks like The lawyer is working hand in hand with cockayne.
Poor art doesn't stand a chance
Art is being used!
Or has he been promised something?
Cockayne is home laughing at Ward ,Ferguson,J.D. Ken will use this against ward come november.play with fire what happens you get b ned when will you learn Artie ?
When Blazejowski came on the force, everyone, but everyone knew that he was a "political appointed person". Front the get go, everyone from top to bottom knew of his incompetance to be a law enforcement officer, but there is a great reluctance to fire someone, who (the city) has already put through the police academy at great expense. These people are often kept on the department in the hopes that their ability to handle the job will improve with time, but in this case it did not. I was on the force with this guy for a couple of years, but aside from being incompetant, he had not exhibited the alcoholic and violent side of himself. Too bad for all concerned; especially sad for the great cops, that go out every day and do their jobs.
I am a retired Bristol Cop, who was on the job when Blaze was hired, and saw his performance for a little over two years. First of all it was known by everyone that from top to bottom that he was a "political appointee". From the begining, everyone also noted that he did not have the mentality and maturity to be a law enforcement officer. However, after putting a person through the Police Academy at great expense, cities are very reluctant to fire a person, and keep him on the job in the hopes that he will improve with time. During my time in seeing this officer on the job, he had not exhibited the alcoholic and violent behaviors which are both part of his current problems. I also feel sorry for the many dedicated officers on the job that get lumped into the pile of disgrace by a few bad apples. Hope all turns out well for the BPD.
Nice job in the photocopying of the job evaluations Gotowala.
The chief got what he deserved. He never deid his job. He was always having charges brought against him from womem and never having to answer for them. Get a real leader not a mushroom.
Wow after reading the report it is very clear that John DiVenere, the personnel director and others did not do their job. It is time for Bristol to hire a new Chief from outside of Bristol to come in and clean house. The Bristol Police Department has many fine and dedicated officers who's reputation is tarnished because of this and other situations. The personnel director also should be held accountable for not doing her job. It also looks like then Mayor Stortz dropped the ball on this one too.
The patrol officer in question should be fired and the city of Bristol refunded for the monies paid for his "sick leave". As part of any agreement with him, he should also be required to check himself into an anger management program so he can deal with his issues.
Again the Bristol Police Department has many fine officers and a few BAD apples should not ruin the fine work they do. They deserve better leadership and hopefully will finally get it.
Read the article on the front page in Sunday's Hartford Courant. Nicely sums up all the problems with BPD and the Chief's inactions.
Then check out the Bristol Police Commission on the city's web site and read their monthly meeting minutes.The meetings usually last 30 minutes or so and nothing of substance is discussed. According to the city charter, "the police department falls under the supervision of the police commission". The police commission members are Messrs Greger, Fries, Lambert, D'Amato and Ms. Shackett, Councilamn Fuller and Mayor Ward. How is it that none of these issues dating back to 2005 have been addressed by the commission?
In addition to dismissing the Chief, each of these members should be removed immediately from their positions.
Are you sure this wasn't the Board of Education? It sounds a lot alike.
Can they fire the Mayor for not reading the report he was sent?
Was McCauly involved in any of this?
Shouldn't the council investigate the Mayor?
Tell me something, how does a MAYOR of a city not read an IA report? How the hell does THAT happen?
Why is DiVenere the only one of FAR too many people involved and RESPONSIBLE paying the piper for this disgusting mess?
No one invloved in this should have a job with this city. Not one of them.
how come the news of the chief's suspension has not hit the bristol press yet ? (or any other news site for that reason) ?
The chief's suspension was in the Press and the Courant.
I know hindsight is 20-20, but its obvious that a useless Chief and and an even more worthless Police Board are the biggest detriments to our community. All the fingerpointing in the world will never make this smell rosey. Time for all involved to fall on their swords and let the rebuilding begin.
I DID read the report. As others have concluded ..and it's pretty clear assuming you have a shred of reading comprehension:
Ferguson -- ultimately responsible
Mayor - responsible
city attny - responsible
Chief -- NOT responsible.
Reason: The chief wanted the firing and recommended it.
Why the fog in people's heads? The chief was the public fall guy in the newspapers prior to investigative digging. We now know the hidden truth so discontinue your hangups on previously printed fiction. It really is true that people only believe what they first read in the paper. Very odd. Personnel Office calls the shots and has final word. In this case the mechanics of decision making were illustrated and the chief is wholly off the hook. -- Run Diane, Run.. the bell tolls for thee.
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