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Saturday, December 10, 2016

I'LL PROUDLY ADMIT IT, SEAN SPELL IS A FRIEND OF MINE

It is funny how things work out. Several years ago,,I was upset by the actions of an HPD Sergeant. I eventually complained to Chief Roberts about that Sergeants actions and eventually that Sergeant was moved out of his position back in Patrol. I am not sure if the transfer was made to shut me up, but none the less the move was made. That Sergeant was Sean Spell.

Luckily since that time, I'll admit I have matured and broadened my vision, so not everything is clearly defined in black and white to me now. Another good friend of mine intervened a few years ago and asked me to trust him when he told me what a great cop Sean Spell was. He also asked me to trust his judgment and could he make an introduction for me and Spell to get together to clear the air and maybe understand each other a little better.

I reluctantly agreed, but I figured myself and Spell had the same desires for Hartford, just maybe a little bit different way of getting there. I was set in my ways of strictly interpreting policy and procedures and there was no gray are  or ambiguity.  We met, we talked liked civilized adults do, and we both came away with a better understanding of each other.

I gave Spell a clean slate as far as I was concerned and we started talking. Eventually James Rovella came in from the States Attorney's Office when violent crime was out of control in Hartford with this crazy idea of something called the Shooting Task Force. Rovella, who eventually  became Hartford's Chief, has an unusual knack for seeing things in people that not everyone else may readily see.

Rovella assembled a team for the Shooting Task Force, all handpicked by him to get the job done. That team included  ,now retired, Lieutenant Lance Sigersmith and Sean Spell at the helm. That team they built seemed at many time as though they would follow Rovella, Sigersmith and Spell off a cliff if that was what the mission required. They produced some phenomenal results over the next few years , taking a huge number of guns and violent felons of Hartford's Streets.

Sean Spell played a huge role in that success. Some days it would seem like he was her constantly, and that overtime made him one of the highest earners in the Police Department. His earnings didn't sit well with everyone and created some tension between him and other officers, but I can honestly say that the money was probably the best single investment Hartford could make to reduce crime

Any hour of the day or night, if there was a gun call or any violent crime happening anywhere in the City it seems as though it would only be a matter of seconds  before you would hear Sergeant Spell chime in on the radio "570 , I'll be responding". And many times it was 570 , Spells radio designation that would be proclaiming the situation under control ,another suspect in custody, mote guns taken off Hartford's streets.

After becoming friends with Spell  and following the efforts of STF, I had a better understanding  of the lack of black and white , clearly defined  clarity we all hoped would exist. Criminals operate in a grey area, and it is officers like Spell who could also operate in that grey area while still staying in bounds and not crossing into foul territory.

Some of you are probably screaming at your monitors now that "Spell did cross into foul territory". I disagree. I was with a Hartford Police Officer that night  during the entire time that the Flatbush Avenue incident  was unfolding. It moved quickly and it was chaotic The radio traffic was moving rapidly and 570 was there during all of it.

I spoke to Spell a couple days after the incident and he gave me his version, the same version that is being recounted to this day. He explained arriving at the scene and seeing an HPD Officer with a large amount of blood on his uniform shirt,. The officer explained to Spell that one of the suspects injured in the crash was bleeding heavily from a head wound and was spitting blood.

Apparently, even though the suspect had already been handcuffed, Sgt. Spell approached him and some words were exchanged. Spell readily admitted to me he looked at the suspect and said "you better not have F***ing  AIDS". The suspect moved to spit at Spell and he used his foot to push the  suspects head away to avoid his attack. Was it an assault or a logical move to protect himself from potentially hazardous contamination?

Let me pose a hypothetical question that might be easier to understand for many. You are out for a walk and a loose pitbull charges you. Do you stand there and take the bite and a potential mauling or would you use whatever is available to defend yourself. You raise your foot and attempt to push the dog away before he bites. Are you now guilty of animal abuse for assaulting the dog, or did you do what was necessary to defend yourself reasonably? Just something to think about.

Sean Spell was able to operate in that gray area I mentioned earlier. If I ever felt that he was crossing the line, I would have been one of the first people to say "Sean , you screwed up". Being able to navigate in that gray area is what made Sean Spell a good cop. No, actually let me say a great cop, and we will never know fully the violent crime his efforts interrupted on our behalf.

Thank you Sergeant Spell, I for one appreciate your efforts and will stand by your side as you clear your name and redeem your reputation as a great cop like so many others at HPD that serve us day in and day out

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Anonymous said...

As a supervisor, Spell should have had the self control not to kick a handcuffed idiot on the ground, and the smarts not to do it in front of two other agencies with cameras rolling. In the end, he will plea to a BOP get AR and this will be the end of it. However, HPD should have disciplined him to maintain their credibility in the community. Having him arrested, raising expectations and then having the system (appropriately) not punish him, hurts the PD leadership with the rank and file and the city residents.

Hartford Fire Dept. said...

We've dealt with Sean on so many occasions and have only seen the finest. We know he is truly one of HPD's finest. We support you and stand behind you.

Anonymous said...

The community doesn't trust the PD and that's a reality

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

I don't see that mistrust in the people I deal with. Are you trying to create a problem where there isn't one?

Anonymous said...

Who is "anonymously" speaking for the "community". Cause your full of it.

Anonymous said...

I'm one of the rank and file 9:54 pm and I DO NOT agree with your statement. There's nothing to disipline because he didn't do anything wrong, the right wing media is saying he did

Anonymous said...

None of those cops did ANYTHING wrong. Wait, they may have done one thing wrong, and not used deadly force when the driver started ramming cars and running over a cop at first. Now they have to go through a rigorous internal investigation? Get out of here. Everything was appropriate. Are cops supposed to enforce the law and be cops or not? Obviously the answer is no. It's as if grabbing your coffee and parking out of sight is the best option. Or be a desk jockey like the ones that never worked the street and Monday morning quarterback behind their desk.

Anonymous said...

Definitely a second floor desk jockey that has never been in a real life situation where force was necessary to effect an arrest. There is always a need for paper pushers. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Kevin,Please explain the irony in the fact that the same community that mistrusts the police dials 911 more than any other?! And when they do more times than not "some bad shit is going down"

Patrol4LIFE said...

Re: December 10, 2016 at 9:54 PM "As a supervisor..."

God I hope you're not in patrol, and not my supervisor. I hope your just an online troll that's not even a cop.

When I first heard the news of Sgt. Spell I thought there had to be something more to it, more than politics. Either a whistle blower cop, camera evidence or his own statements gave clear evidence that the bloody spitting never happened and Sgt. Spell wasn't justified in his use of force.

I now am shameful of myself that I doubted that our state and city hasn't been corrupted by this national war on police.

I read the warrant. No evidence that contradicts that statement. More evidence that supports that it happened. The only thing that contradicts that is "the video doesn't clearly show one way or another." They signed a warrant based on an evidence-less "reasonable doubt" of the Officer's version. The only hope the state was even slightly correct is they limited their evidence in the warrant and have something more.

Spitting blood is a violation and specifically defined in CGS Assault on Police 53a-167c. Spitting blood at a police officer a class C felony, with a two year minimum sentence.

NOBODY HAS A RIGHT TO COMMIT FELONY ASSAULT AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS. EVERY OFFICER HAS A RIGHT TO USE REASONABLE FORCE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM FELONY ASSAULT.

It is not unreasonable for any police officer, let alone a normal citizen, to react with the same reaction as Sgt. Spell when blood is being spit on them.

If he loses in civil court, it's because of thinking like yours. Thinking police don't have any rights and the criminal has all the rights.

You are the worst supervisor to even think they way you do, and I hate that you took a test to get where you got and think it means anything more than that. It disgusts me that you think a criminal can spit on your Officer's with impunity. I hope you are serving some worthless position in our department and not supervising the ones that are being put between a rock and hard place everyday.

Anonymous said...

Time to clean house remove everyone from the Chiefs complex

Anonymous said...

The Latin community NAACP Urban League and BLM are watching this case with a close eye GA14 did the right thing and Spell might be doing some jail time too bad he got caught on camera and he will be paying a hefty sum in that lawsuit

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

2;27pm

watch all you want , political pressure from the Capitol and City Hall may have resulted in the arrest, but it is a long path between arrest and conviction. There is still something called the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and in my opinion that just doesn't exist. And there is the issue of a jury in any civil trial and you might have trouble finding a majority that would rule in favor of someone high on PCP and Cocaine committing criminal acts in a stolen car, but then again, anything is possible with a jury, so keep hoping , but I think your efforts are misguided. And just as a point of information, because I stand by Spell as innocent of the allegations, when is the last time you heard of anyone doing jail time on a first offense misdemeanor?

Anonymous said...

Trump is setting all that straight..... bye bye Obama!
Everyone is SICK of it.

Anonymous said...

First offense Kevin did you forget the citizen he beat up and it was substantiated by the PD???

Anonymous said...

As a black HPD officer, I can personally say Spell has done more for black and Hispanic officers at HPD than I'm positive you have. Everyone knows that. A long list of minority officers have already produced a list of minority officers that will stand behind his character. In fact, I know for a fact, Spell's closest group of friends are all minorities. Actually, everyone is aware of that.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

3:43PM

can you enlighten me as to when that arrest took place and how it ended up, I can't find anything in the Judicial website records

Exculpatory Evidence said...

As someone "close to the investigation" who unfortunately has to post anonymously in fear of retribution.......I know for an absolute fact that there was exculpatory information gathered, that if put in the warrant, could not and would not have been signed. Really makes me wonder why that particular information was not included. I think the conclusion is obvious.

Anonymous said...

And what might do you think that'll do. The only competent minority LT that could move up is Laureano. Unfortunately, they'll go after him internally for allowing cops to do their job.

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I watch the video and while the suspects head did lift up, it looks to me like he was facing down. I can tell by the comments that most of you think people deserve a pass for being Leo's. especially if they were effective Leo's like Spell. The truth is, crime shouldn't be overlooked because someone wears a badge. If you would look at this honestly, you all know a bad cop. You all also probably know (or are) a good cop who covered for a bad cop at one time or another. Erase the thin blue line and enforce the law with the same vigor when it comes to other cops and you'll get my support back. Until then, I'll be suspicious of you just like you are of all of us contemptible civilians.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Ok, let me ask you, we are watching the same video , you say you see him facing down, you also say you saw him lift his head up. Did you see any stomping or kicking that would "cause" an injury , as required by the statute?

Anonymous said...

Amen brother

Anonymous said...

One spit deserved a boot.
Amen brother.

50Jennings said...

Sgt. Spell represented everything good about HPD. A smart supervisor, who took care of his guys and led by example. Sure he was a hot head, but being politically correct and living in the black and white doesn't get true criminals off the street. We live in a world of gray, and Spell mastered painting with that color brush. It's a loss to Hartford and its surrounding towns to see him leave policing. I like Sean... He and Sigersmith took over a broken unit that DKR had destroyed and made it what it is today. It will be a while before HPD rebounds from this. Best of luck D09. I hope I can be half the cop you were in your career.

Chris Lyons said...

Two convicted felons drive a stolen car through two
Cities, endanger everyone in their path, crash that vehicle and somehow
become victims because Sgt. Spell booted one of them in the head because
he was spitting blood at him and other police officers. And oh yeah these two
mutts were high on cocaine, PCP and marijuana.

Sgt. Spell was an outstanding Hartford Police officer and supervisor. He
routinely riddled the city of violent felons, Sometimes daily and yet I heard no public thanks or comment
until he put the boots to Emilio Diaz. Nice work Sean. Diaz is the kind of character
who singlehandedly destroys the quality of life anywhere he is. A complete waste
Of DNA. A multi time convicted felon better suited to a cage than society.

Sometimes police work is ugly, it's always dangerous and the city and all
of its residents are safer because of the work of Sgt. Spell and others like him.

I was proud to work with Sean.

Anonymous said...

Regardless if you are supporting Spell, is there anyone else who is concerned about the thin blue line and their failure to speak to investigating agencies? Or have the union vet an officer's police report before submitting it? These are the things that add to the community's mistrust of police officers. And this is from someone who is a proud supporter of our public safety personnel!

Anonymous said...

From my view, the suspects head was facing down. Yes he started to raise his head, but it was still facing down. Then with a boot to the back of his head, Spell forcefully smashed his face into the ground. I'm not sure how the spitting defense flies if the suspects face was facing the ground.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for being a public safety supporter. I'll do my best to explain to you. Cops, like anyone else in any profession, make mistakes. If a cop or cops are deemed to do something wrong, they are investigated both criminally (in this case by an outside agency) and internally by the department. In this situation all officers that were involved in the incident from beginning to end were investigated criminally and internally. They are two completely separate investigations. When you or anyone is being investigated criminally,everyone has their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent or not speak. Every officers involved wrote a report which is a statement regarding their actions. After giving a written statement, many officers don't believe they should now go be verbally interrogated by investigators that are sometimes out to twist and turn the scenario. This has happened in the past. Every officer involved was concerned with their own use of force and some chose to let their report stand. Nobody was protecting anyone. There is video, video shows who was around during the force that became into question. Those officers talked. Now the internal investigation is underway and officers are mandated to talk and will talk because it is not a criminal investigation. Some of those officers will be facing serious discipline. Internal discipline could range from short to lengthy suspensions without pay up to termination. There was no thin blue line here cops covering for cops here. Hopefully that clears it up for you a bit.

Anonymous said...

just like every cop is a criminal, and all the sinners saints. just call me lucifer, because I'm in need of some restraint.

Lemme get this straight - cops buy Dylan roof burger king after he straight up assassinates in a hate crime a dozen people in a church. But lead a few cops on a high speed chase, and it gives cops permission to kick you in the head.

America is sick.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

10:38am
I am not sure facts matter to most people who have already made up their minds, but according to the warrant, Spell wasn't even wearing boots

Anonymous said...

But you don't deny the suspect face was facing down Kevin ??

Anonymous said...

From my view, the suspects head had turned towards Spell several times prior to that. The warrant states that. Maybe as he started to raise his head again, surely to spit, that was prevented. It's clear after that he doesn't raise his head again, showing me the force was successful in what it was meant to do. A video is a video and isn't completely clear to see, but it appears the officers reports coincide with the video. Twenty different people are going to make twenty different interpretations of the video.

Anonymous said...

As the warrant states and video shows, I see the video is not completely clear. I see the suspect turn towards Spell at least two times. I see his head down and raising again, I'd imagine to spit, at which points Spell delivers the heel. I don't see his head raise again after that. I would think if they wanted to F him up it woulda been a soccer game.

Anonymous said...

From my view, the suspects head was facing down but raising. I do see suspects heard turn at least two times prior, which I'd imagine was spitting. As the suspects head is down but raising, probably to spit again, Spell delivers one heel strike. Suspects head stays faced away after that and not spitting. Even the warrant supports all that. I see know issue here. But I understand, 5 people will have 5 versions or interpretations.

Anonymous said...

Have no worries if you really think America is sick because Trump is gonna make America great again!

Anonymous said...

I dont really mess with cops. Not that my race should matter but im African American. Spell arrested me years back and I must say I ran and did not easily allow to be handcuffed. I was a young hard head at the time and I got caught with something I shouldnt have had. But one thing I always remembered is the respect he treated me with. He even loosened handcuffs when asked. I knew I was hit and would be away for a minute, so he got me some taco bell. I would see him many times after in years after and we actually became friendly and would have good conversations about police involved matters going on. He gave me a better understanding and outlook on police. I got a hold of him a few times and he always helped me out and gave good advise. Spell always had respect cause he kept it real not like others. I just read the warrant, it says one foot unclear to emilo upper back or head. That seems ok to even me someone spiting once. These guys wild out on the wet if you ever seen. The warrant even says a lot isnt clear. I watch the video many times here. I dont see no problem. I really cant believe they arrest him, gotta be more to it. Hang in there my bro, your solid as they come, You know who

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

5:40pm

Not my place to deny anything, the facts will speak for themselves

Anonymous said...

Has it occurred to anyone that a natural reaction to having blood pouring down your face and going into your mouth would be to spit to avoid swallowing it?

Spell was the cop. Spell knows the rules. Spell F---ed up here.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

3:14pm

It is one thing to spit it on the ground.totally something else to direct it at or on someone, as it was documented he was doing

Anonymous said...

Why did the warrant leave out the fact the suspect had already spit directly into an officer's face and had to be treated at the hospital? The warrant says the suspects head can be seen turning but it's unclear which direction. A separate officer confirms he spits in spell's direction. The reports and video seems to confirm what happened. I do not see any crime here.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

4:07pm
It was probably left out to make sure the judge would sign it. I think legally they call that exculpatory evidence. The whole thing stinks from the beginning, there must have been some heavy pressure to push this through

Peanuts said...

I don't know, it just seems to me in comparison to the rest of the country, CT police are really good. Cops here aren't shooting and executing people. Here, given everything I've read, I see no problem. I think the two convicted felons should be thanking the cops they didn't light that car up with bullets which they probably legally could have. South Carolina police shoots a man to death in the back as he runs away and it's a mistrial? This here shouldn't be a bleep on the radar, everything here seems more than reasonable. Thank you to all CT police for your service.

General Grievous said...

I don't know Spell at all.

I do know that a $130,000 pension + COLA and cheap medical insurance and a $80,000 golden handshake to retire at age 46 is disgusting and Hartford deserves to go bankrupt and have a court tear up these sickening contracts.

Anonymous said...

You are misinformed. HPD has no COLA and medical insurance is not cheap, try about $1,500 a month. If any city employee has chosen to let his time accrue, I feel they should get paid. Not even to mention, officers aren't paid for all their unused time.

Anonymous said...

You did not mention the pension fund privately managers and vibrant, nearly fully funded by current working officers as a high percentage of their pay is taken weekly to the fund. Why doesn't the union or someone explain since pensions are such a political hot topic lately.

Anonymous said...

There is no and has never been any "golden handshake" for any HPD officer ever. I think what 338pm was trying to say is that the HPD pension is privately managed. Unlike Waterbury, Detroit, etc, It was never managed by the city, thus why it's in so good shape.

Pastor Pablo said...

Amen to that brother these union contracts and city salaries have bankrupted the city and until they fix that I will never move back to Hartford

Anonymous said...

We'd rather you didn't move back to Hartford Pastor Pablo.

Chris Lyons said...

To all of the anonymous on this blog,

The Hartford Police Union and the city negotiated several contracts in my time there from 1981 to 2001.

Those contracts were done in good faith and in the 1990's we received several years of a zero (0) raise. We played by the
rules, many of us didn't use sick time and were faithful, dedicated members of the police force. Police work is not like working in an office, working in a factory or another profession
. It is a dangerous job, sometimes depressing but more often very rewarding. Nothing better than arresting a violent criminal, gang member or drug dealer and allowing the law abiding community to live w/o fear. Police work was my choice of a career. I was proud to be a member
of the best police department In the state. 99% of the men and women who wore the uniform did it with pride and should be appreciated