tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9826331907803064932024-03-15T21:10:02.002-04:00"WE THE PEOPLE"FEEL FREE TO CALL ME WITH COMMENTS OR IDEAS AT 860-883-2297. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS BLOG ARE STRICTLY THAT, MY OPINIONSKEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.comBlogger2649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-64274418891510828612023-10-20T20:52:00.000-04:002023-10-20T20:52:29.236-04:00THE TESLA DOESN'T LIE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVtegcfvlCLNPjaab9UXyNYvXT4i2VTgmm3idW0NeX1DFn8xTSC_F1pUR_m1MclCDiBhOvZPe1e3VOM8D_12gNhPHzeMIPMcO8_4ZYyLYdvaq9e4SS7GgdoRCKbr0EpJnwR1rT-Zc4R-0kwcz-F2O1WZoZsfBYLPYEMqAip2x6_XLIDJ7jy3ohCbJhB4/s475/tesla.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="475" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVtegcfvlCLNPjaab9UXyNYvXT4i2VTgmm3idW0NeX1DFn8xTSC_F1pUR_m1MclCDiBhOvZPe1e3VOM8D_12gNhPHzeMIPMcO8_4ZYyLYdvaq9e4SS7GgdoRCKbr0EpJnwR1rT-Zc4R-0kwcz-F2O1WZoZsfBYLPYEMqAip2x6_XLIDJ7jy3ohCbJhB4/s320/tesla.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is another one from the " You can't make this stuff up" file.<div><br /></div><div>Normally an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) is an all hands on deck type of situation. Apparently, according to several sources, one Hartford Police Officer had different ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div>On October 16, 2023 at approximately 1:54PM On October 16, 2023 at approximately 1:54 p.m., Hartford Police Officer Brian Sulliman,
who was on routine patrol operating a marked Harford Police cruiser, atempted to stop a
motor vehicle on Westland Street. The vehicle, a grey-colored four-door Honda Accord bearing
Florida registration 49DJXP, stopped on Westland Street near the intersection with Barbour
Street. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop, a person, later identified as Jamie Grant, exited
the front passenger door and walked to the rear of the vehicle. Officer Sulliman exited his
police vehicle and approached the Honda. The Honda Accord then drove from the scene.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grant was holding what appeared to be a firearm in his left hand. He raised his arm in
the direction of Officer Sulliman. In response, Officer Sulliman then discharged his firearm
multiple times striking Grant. Grant fell in the middle of the intersection of Westland Street and
Barbour Street. Grant was later pronounced dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>At about the same time another Hartford Police Officer who was working a private duty job in the area apparently passed the area in his private vehicle at the time of the shooting. The Officer, who I am not naming at this time, is reportedly a 12 year veteran of HPD. He most likely would have still been in his HPD uniform at this point as he was apparently directing traffic at a road job. Sources are telling me that much of this was captured on various cameras in the area. The officer was captured on video in his Tesla passing through the area at the same time. Rather than stop to render assistance, and also as a witness to an Officer Involved Shooting, he mad a U-Turn and left the area. This is inexcusable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also when questioned about it, he apparently claimed that his department issued firearm was in the trunk of his Tesla, and that is why he didn't stop. He also claimed he put his weapon in the trunk of the Tesla because he didn't want it on his leather seats.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other interesting point is that, according to Tesla, the vehicles come equipped with 9 cameras throughout and around the vehicle recording video with high definition , crystal clear video. If the gun and gun belt were actually in the trunk, that would most likely be captured on video. I also have confirmed that HPD Policy requires Officers to be armed while they are in the City and in uniform.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to ask , what kind of Police Officer would not stop to render assistance to a fellow officer just involved in a traumatic incident, and how could any other officer have any confidence in someone exhibiting a cowardly act like this.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is unacceptable, and when all the facts are in, it requires quick and severe action by Chief Thody up to and including termination for cowardice.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following information details the in car cameras on Tesla vehicles:</div><div><span style="font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">The front cameras are located at the top of the windshield. They consist of a camera with a typical lens, a wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens. The telephoto camera can see up to 250 meters ahead </span><a href="https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_au/GUID-EDA77281-42DC-4618-98A9-CC62378E0EC2.html" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">according to Tesla</a><span style="font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">, ideal for high-speed Autopilot use, while the main lens covers 150 meters. In addition, the wide-angle lens gives a panoramic-like view for navigation at complex intersections and tight curves.</span></div><div><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Rear View Camera</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">The rearview camera is positioned above the license plate. It provides a view of up to 50 meters behind the vehicle, assisting with parking, reverse driving and <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1376/tesla-s-automatic-emergency-braking-now-works-in-reverse-and-at-speeds-over-100-mph" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">reverse automatic emergency braking</a>.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Fender Cameras</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">Teslas contain a camera on each fender that points toward the rear of the vehicle at about a 45° angle. This allows the vehicle to see vehicles to its side and help monitor the vehicle's blind spots.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">These cameras can also be viewed by the driver when using Tesla's blind spot monitor feature, or by enabling the side cameras while in reverse, which displays the reverse camera feed, along with the fender or 'repeater' cameras.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">B-Pillar Cameras</h2><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: 81px; margin-right: 81px;"></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">Tesla vehicles also include two other side cameras that are found on the B-pillar. Instead of aiming backward like the repeater cameras, these cameras are aimed toward the front of the vehicle. This allows them to capture areas in the front half of the vehicle. These cameras aid with intersections, parking and more. Unfortunately, the video from these cameras can only be viewed while the vehicle is parked and by going to Controls > Service and tapping on 'Preview Cameras'.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Cabin Camera</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">All current Tesla models include a cabin camera. The camera is <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/software-updates/upcoming-features/id/1166/new-tesla-update-allows-you-to-preview-the-cabin-camera-feed" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">located above the rearview</a> mirror and monitors driver attentiveness, especially when Autopilot is in use. You can view the cabin camera onscreen by navigating to Controls > Service > Preview Cabin Camera. You can also view it through the Tesla app if Sentry Mode is enabled and Sentry Mode Live Access is available in your region.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Future Bumper Camera</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">Looking ahead, newer Tesla models are <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1238/investor-day-reveals-tesla-cybertruck-rear-screen-bumper-cam-circular-yoke-and-more-photos-video" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">expected to feature a bumper camera</a>, as seen in the Cybertruck prototypes. Additionally, with <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1441/tesla-has-introduced-fsd-hardware-4-0-on-the-model-y" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">hardware 4.0</a>, the cameras have a higher resolution and an anti-glare coating for enhanced visibility.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Functionality Unveiled: The Multifaceted Uses of Tesla's Cameras</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">Tesla's cameras play a vital role in the advanced features the vehicles are known for. Their primary use is for the Autopilot system and active safety features like <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1373/tesla-upgrades-automatic-emergency-braking-to-react-to-perpendicular-dangers" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)</a>. Furthermore, Sentry Mode and Dashcam features use cameras to record potential threats when parked and on the road. In newer models, the cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness to ensure safety during Autopilot use.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">View, Access and Calibrate</h2><div class="image-wrapper image-full" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"><img alt="Tesla now lets you preview all cameras included in your vehicle" data-enlarge="true" src="https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/tesla-car-updates/2023.20/preview-cameras.jpg" style="aspect-ratio: 1200 / 1020; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: zoom-in; width: 900px;" /><div class="image-meta" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px 10px;"><div class="caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Tesla now lets you preview all cameras included in your vehicle</div><div class="credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-wrap: nowrap;">Simon</div></div></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: 81px; margin-right: 81px;"></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">While driving, you can access the rear and fender cameras through the center display. To test or preview other cameras, you can navigate to Controls > Service > Preview Cameras, and then select the camera you'd like to preview at the top of the screen. In addition, through the Tesla app, remote viewing capabilities are available for five of the vehicle's cameras, including the front-facing camera, fender cameras, rear camera, and cabin camera.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">If you're noticing issues with your vehicle's cameras, Tesla provides the <a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/1056/how-to-calibrate-the-cameras-in-your-tesla" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">ability to calibrate them</a>. It's a simple process initiated from the vehicle's touchscreen, although certain features like Autopilot will be unavailable until the process completes.</p><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 81px;">Confidentiality in Focus: Tesla's Data Privacy Measures</h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;"><a href="https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/1243/tesla-reveals-data-privacy-details-which-data-is-used-and-what-remains-private" style="border-bottom: 1px solid currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: none;">Tesla takes data privacy</a> seriously. For example, the cabin camera doesn't save or transmit data unless data sharing is enabled in your car's settings. For Sentry Mode and Dashcam footage, data is stored locally and can be accessed only by the owner.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, roboto, arial, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 34px; margin: 18px 81px;">Tesla's advanced camera systems play an integral role in enhancing vehicle safety, providing driver-assist features, and creating a robust security layer. However, understanding the function and usage of these cameras is essential for maximizing the benefits. With Tesla continuously innovating, exciting enhancements, like bumper cameras and upgraded hardware, lie on the horizon, promising to take vehicular safety and autonomy to the next level.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-51870870168048912252023-10-20T15:19:00.000-04:002023-10-20T15:19:07.977-04:00LET'S ROLL<p> The recent anniversary of 9/11 brought back to mind the courageous words of great American patriots. "Let's roll " were some of the last words uttered by a passenger on Flight 93 as they made the decision to take on hijackers who were determined to crash their commandeered airliner before it could be crashed into a Washington DC location, possibly the White House or the US Capitol on 9/11.</p><p>The last couple of years have taken their toll on me as far as my health, and the pandemic didn't help either. Two years ago I awoke one morning to realize i had lost my eyesight, it was diagnosed the same day by my outstanding Ophthalmologist as a "vitreous hemorrhage", which is essentially bleeding in the back of the eye and the blood seepage blocks the vision. My Doctor had hoped that it would have resolved itself , but after a period of a couple months it did not. At that point the decision was made to operate. If you are squeamish, please don't read the next few lines.</p><p>The surgery consisted of an ophthalmologic surgeon cutting into the eyeball and draining the vitreous fluid and the blood and repairing the damage. The only caveat was that once they cut into the eye and repaired the damage (exposing the inner eye to air), I would most likely develop a cataract. I did and that was repaired with more surgery a few months late.</p><p>In a credit to the skill of Doctor Margolis. my ophthalmologist and his staff at Retina Consultants as well as modern technology, my eyesight began coming back and the day after the cataract surgery with Doctor Pasternack, so be sure to schedule regular checkups for your eye health, my vision was almost perfect. I think most people take their eyesight for granted until you are faced with losing it,so be sure to schedule regular checkups for your eye health.</p><p>In July of this year, I somehow injured my hip and was unable to walk for several weeks and was forced to use a walker to get around. I am still using the walker and going through Physical Therapy, its a slow process but I hopefully continue to see improvement.</p><p>Many have asked me if the ongoing lawsuit and the subsequent appeal have any effect on the lack of postings, I would have to say, unequivocally no. If anything, it has now pushed me to get rolling once again. I have realized the support that is out there to uncover the truth and the risk that many people are willing to take to expose corrupt activity and wrongdoing, wherever that may be, whether in the Hartford Police Department , Hartford City Hall or elsewhere. I was always taught that good will overcome evil, and there is plenty of evil going on that needs to be exposed though this blog and the assistance of great sources that are willing to trust me to get information out, as well as good things going on also that deserve to be highlighted.</p><p>So get ready to start following the blog again, please. Sometimes if you poke the hornets' nest you are going to get stung, but what's a bee sting if it is to accomplish good and help people. After all I have been through, I can handle a few stings.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-21084835689365058632022-06-30T16:05:00.002-04:002022-06-30T16:47:10.818-04:00CAN HARTFORD EVER COME BACK?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeDNOf0TAsDdA4Tw0lBSg9z-KBR4TmPfcppwmEbpHOhvFLtclG41ounTDcopSVVmx5fG_kPhw7b3B-X7DXloWM0_og7oiRoocyCz-l63oN9TRyiCbn0iWo30c98Pjjmal-Srn0-HpDCFsi0f3_lgd2hiNQT8oWUZEqiT5k1M9fpvXyYMq1aO5LTYi/s825/1326120_eric-coleman_1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeDNOf0TAsDdA4Tw0lBSg9z-KBR4TmPfcppwmEbpHOhvFLtclG41ounTDcopSVVmx5fG_kPhw7b3B-X7DXloWM0_og7oiRoocyCz-l63oN9TRyiCbn0iWo30c98Pjjmal-Srn0-HpDCFsi0f3_lgd2hiNQT8oWUZEqiT5k1M9fpvXyYMq1aO5LTYi/s320/1326120_eric-coleman_1.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Honorable Judge Eric Coleman</div><br />I received a phone call a couple weeks ago and the caller asked me if I thought Hartford could ever make a comeback.<p></p><p>My answer was pretty quick and decisive. ABOULUTELY.</p><p>In my opinion, there are three major things standing in Hartford's way of making a comeback. Number one is leadership. For probably over a decade Hartford has had some of the worst leadership imaginable, starting most recently with Eddie Perez who was eventually driven from office by the States Attorney and a Grand Jury investigation. Hartford is under the "strong Mayor" form of government. I don't have an issue with a strong Mayor, the problem is Hartford voters have made terrible choices and have been unable to find the right person...yet.</p><p>From Eddie Perez to Pedro Segarra to Luke Bronin, all failures in my eyes. </p><p>Pedro Segarra was cast into the Mayor's Office by default when Eddie Perez was forced to resign under corruption charges.Then came Luke Bronin, not because he knew or understood Hartford, but because he would make a great puppet to do the political bidding of Hartford's elite who loved controlling political power, such as the DiBellas and others.<span> </span></p><p>Prior to Bronin, I had great hope for retired Probate Judge Bob Killian who ran for the office of Mayor, but there was no way of competing with the Bronin million dollar plus war chest the carpetbagger Bronin had amassed, much of it from outside of Hartford and outside of Connecticut.</p><p>I guess even a lousy candidate that very few people knew, can get elected if they are able to buy enough votes. A candidate who probably couldn't have found most neighborhoods or streets in the City without the aid of GPS.</p><p>Two other things that need to change are Public Safety and Education. Aside from the Mayor being a failure, both of those are disastrous, No one will move to a City where they don't feel safe, and no parent who has a choice will put their kids into a school system where a decent education is a crap shoot..</p><p>I am encouraged as of late because I am starting to hear people talking about the next Mayoral election.. I have been hearing the name of Eric Coleman mentioned. Coleman should be familiar to anyone who has spent more than a few days in Hartford over the last few decades. For most of his adult life, Coleman has been serving the people of Hartford as a State Representative, a State Senator and eventually (and currently) as a Superior Court Judge. Coleman didn't just arrive here with his sights on the Mayor's Office in an attempt to work his way up the political ladder with aspirations of grandeur, or maybe I should say delusions of grandeur like our current Mayor.</p><p><br />I think Coleman has the potential to restore confidence and civility to the Mayor's Office. I also think as current sitting Judge, Coleman has kept his distance from the political influence, That political influence such as the Democratic Town Committee has been one of the major forces in the downfall of Hartford.</p><p>If Coleman were to be successful., his first stop after becoming Mayor should be a stop at 253 High Street to hand Chief Thody his termination papers. It will be a tough job to rebuild HPD to the previous levels before Thody decimated the ranks, but it can be done and it has to be done if Hartford is ever going to be safe again.</p><p>Another move would be to utilize Hartford's Charter to its full extent and make appointments to the Hartford Board of Education of people that are serious about seeing Hartford's children and their schools excel. The Mayor has the power to appoint the majority of members to the BOE and that should be done with the best people who understand Hartford's Schools and why they have been failing up to this point.</p><p>I think Economic Development will also be an issue and it needs to be taken seriously by the next Mayor. Hartford has had far too many false starts when it comes to development and it not only makes the city look bad, it prevents any forward movement. Hartford's Economic development efforts seem to be a hotbed of nepotism ad rewards for political allies rather than any solid efforts.</p><p>There will be much more on this in the future , but I hope people will start thinking about Hartford coming back and where they can help with that effort. It can be done and I think Eric Coleman understands what needs to be done. After all of his years serving the people of Hartford, I seriously think he knows what needs to be done</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-50384983143646636582022-04-15T15:19:00.002-04:002022-04-15T17:10:36.148-04:00JASON FIDDLES WHILE HARTFORD BURNS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82jN1w-IqP-uutxaJcnKNbPEVgz_UOY09rjcUjsAntJFQLDfWzROuZKXBowhQ55xaaDdZiBSAoafIRdvbKiBPtQLA5fXRjPX2X7HmtbXL9IVg1Mx8lKNUw-IWWH8Ms5L5kJIAQItmwETUDOo8BRXVUbbQjTw9lOSYU2oxn-em2q587NS24qazFWRU/s1400/thody.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82jN1w-IqP-uutxaJcnKNbPEVgz_UOY09rjcUjsAntJFQLDfWzROuZKXBowhQ55xaaDdZiBSAoafIRdvbKiBPtQLA5fXRjPX2X7HmtbXL9IVg1Mx8lKNUw-IWWH8Ms5L5kJIAQItmwETUDOo8BRXVUbbQjTw9lOSYU2oxn-em2q587NS24qazFWRU/s320/thody.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HARTFORD'S POLICE CHIEF IN HIDING, JASON THODY</div><br />The City of Hartford is headed for a potentially violent summer. In years past, residents could ask the Police Chief what the plan was to deal with the homicides , the shootings and the violence. <p></p><p><br />This year is different, If I am counting correctly, Hartford recorded its 11th homicide of the year today . A daytime shooting at a relatively busy intersection, in broad daylight, blocks from Saint Francis Hospital resulted in a homicide, # 11 for the year so far.</p><p>And as I said, in years past, typically members of the community would be meeting with the Police Chief to address their concerns. Typically the Police Chief would lay out their plan for their summer initiative and the plan to address the concerns and hopefully put their fears at rest.</p><p>There is no chance of that this year . Why you might ask? Because Hartford's Police Chief Jason Thody is no where to be found. Well , let me correct that. Thody can be found at the FBI national Academy for the next 10 weeks, away from the City. </p><p>Despite the official description, the FBI Academy is widely regarded as a networking and resume building opportunity.</p><p>I think most people would wish that a Police Chief with almost thirty years of experience would be able to teach the classes, not attend them. Wouldn't it seem to make more sense to begin grooming junior members of the Department for future leadership roles, rather than sending the Chief?</p><p>It also seems like poor management that anyone would allow the Police Chief to be away for at least 10 weeks while violence is spiking at the same time that the number 2 guy , the Assistant Chief, is relatively new to the position and probably can't find most streets in Hartford without using GPS. At the same time the number 3 guy, Deputy Chief Jay Lee is away at training for 6 weeks out of state.</p><p>Does no one at HPD look at staffing and scheduling and question how two of your top "leaders" ( and I use the term leader sarcastically when I refer to Thody) In addition the current staffing at HPD is well under what is needed to function, Although HPD should have roughly 425 officers, their current level, I am told is about 330 sworn Officers, and more leaving almost daily. Many of those officers have left in the past two years since Thody has been Chief</p><p>Maybe the FBI can offer a course "How <b><i>NOT</i></b> to run a Police Department". I would fully support Thody attending that class for as long as it takes..</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> co</p><p>ncer</p><p>ns</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-45850593302930515082022-03-10T15:45:00.000-05:002022-03-10T15:45:24.925-05:00IT IS TIME FOR ROVELLA TO THE RESCUE , AGAIN<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmvm-G2D6sfFu9TSBt0Eqzc9RgEMcDsv7dWNuDX_5mQPw3ctbZdAxuzyLRVOT2vZqy4tOcL0zLfEUSZ01THR715ic9JNzM0W_IshdoIog9LM7m8hbCpkZNFYNqkp4CTqXVvKU-N5SId3zqx2yGAbip9pWGW3DqXTShmoaX4y-VRFE0xcyxIkf3eHPR=s303" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="241" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmvm-G2D6sfFu9TSBt0Eqzc9RgEMcDsv7dWNuDX_5mQPw3ctbZdAxuzyLRVOT2vZqy4tOcL0zLfEUSZ01THR715ic9JNzM0W_IshdoIog9LM7m8hbCpkZNFYNqkp4CTqXVvKU-N5SId3zqx2yGAbip9pWGW3DqXTShmoaX4y-VRFE0xcyxIkf3eHPR" width="241" /></a></div><br /> In 2010 and early 2011, the City of Hartford was plagued with gun violence, very similar to today's wave of violence<p></p><p>At the time , then Governor Dannel Malloy called his then Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane to the Capitol. During their meeting, Governor Malloy's instructions to Kane were simple. Malloy's instructions were "Do something about the crime in Hartford".</p><p>Kane's next move seemed to make a lot of sense. He moved his Chief Inspector from his office to organize and oversee the efforts, as instructed by the Governor.</p><p>Rovella quickly formed the "Shooting Task Force " and the results were almost instantaneous. Arrests were being made for shootings, and cases that were being left unsolved were suddenly resulting in arrests and violent criminals were being taken off the streets of the Capitol region.</p><p>I am probably over simplifying this, but Rovella's philosophy was simple. In order for Law Enforcement to be successful, they had to come out of their "silos" and share information and work together for a common goal, to combat gun violence.</p><p>This required communication and collaboration to get the results both the Governor and Rovella wanted.</p><p>Rovella's plan wasn't rocket science, but it definitely was creative and unusual for Law Enforcement. Rovella brought numerous agencies into his plan to all work together. HPD, surrounding suburban Police Agencies, Connecticut State Police, State's Attorney Inspectors, a Prosecutor from the Court to specifically follow prosecutions, State probation and Parole officers and numerous Federal partners such as DEA, ATF and FBI.</p><p>One of the biggest components of Rovella's plan was communication and accountability. If someone was lucky to get invited inside the Shooting Task Force offices it quickly became apparent why the operation was working. The data exchanged and "connecting the dots" to criminals and potential shooters was obvious. A back hallway connecting offices had dozens of pictures posted of persons suspected with volent gun crimes and how they were all connected together. Hartford is a relatively small City and most volent crime is committed by a very small percentage of persons. Tracking those persons and predicting their moves produced huge results</p><p>Rovella's plan was so productive, that his efforts were replicated in other Connecticut cities such as New Haven and New Britain with similar results.</p><p>The current administration doesn't seem to understand the problem or how too fix it. Rather , they seem to buy into the latest trend pushed by college academics with little or no results. One example is the "evidence based policing" which Thody and Bronin have seemed to buy into because someone's friend pushed it as plausible and landed a consulting contract in the process. Evidence based policing has been a failure in Hartford and the current crime stats show that.</p><p>People are being shot in Hartford, almost daily and at least 8 people have been murdered in the first few weeks of the new year. The ever dwindling numbers of Hartford Police Officers is going to make for a very difficult summer if things continue on as is.</p><p>It is long overdue for the time for Mayor Bronin to show some leadership and institute plans to bring accountability and solutions to Hartford's violent crime problem. If Bronin is incapable of making the tough decisions. it might just be time for Governor Lamont to have the conversation with his Public Safety Commissioner , James Rovella to "do something about the crime in Hartford". It worked in 2011 and the time is right to give it a shot again under Rovella</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-31882462258375212222021-12-03T12:57:00.003-05:002021-12-03T15:33:19.974-05:00COUNCILMAN GALE FAILS THE SMELL TEST<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohUkz5492h0KdCL49tZmYocduhZwVzrCfdo5tDKS3KCFCwZZhdZn1xlJMgrHn3bcqXs5MlA4Og6_Q6OcUrF-wHe4gXVYGvsyxjXwxthhy-PXvtIGjLxVrDyUVebXhEfhw2EjppEkUXUU/s1200/gale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohUkz5492h0KdCL49tZmYocduhZwVzrCfdo5tDKS3KCFCwZZhdZn1xlJMgrHn3bcqXs5MlA4Og6_Q6OcUrF-wHe4gXVYGvsyxjXwxthhy-PXvtIGjLxVrDyUVebXhEfhw2EjppEkUXUU/s320/gale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">COUNCILMAN JOHN GALE</div><br />A former Connecticut State Auditor used to speak of using the "smell test" when deciding if use of public funds was acceptable. If it stinks, don't do it. <p></p><p>Hartford City Councilman John Gale's nasal passages must have been extremely congested not to recognize that this smell test stunk to high heavens.</p><p>In a nutshell, Gale came up with a scheme to show his appreciation for City employees during Covid. He wanted to have lapel pins made to show "Hartford Pride". Originally, according to sources, Gale had proposed paying for them out of pocket. Apparently, that never happened, at least not until I began questioning the expenditure from the City budget. </p><p>Gale moved his plan forward, according to COO Thea Montanez, sometime in June. Rather than use any competitive bidding process to provide the best value to City taxpayers. Gale ordered and purchased the pins from his daughter's business for a total of almost $4,000 dollars. Now here is where it really starts to smell and runs afoul of ethics laws and ordinances. </p><p>Gale 's printed material that accompanied the distribution of the pins specifically noted that they were courtesy of Councilman John Gale and ""the Hartford Party". The Hartford Party is the political party Gale formed to get re-elected after the Hartford Democratic Town Committee refused to give him their endorsement for his re-election campaign.</p><p>Gale should have known better. Instead of making it a thank you from the entire council, Gale's wording and mentioning himself and his personal political party, it essentially became campaign propaganda material for Gale, paid for by the taxpayers of Hartford. An improper use of taxpayer funds.</p><p>Even more troubling is that City Clerk Noel Macgregor, Council President Maly Rosado and Council Aide David Grant were all aware of and signed off on Gale's propaganda order and Gale's misuse of City funds ,and none of them raised any red flags over what was clearly improper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmy3iAquB2MdL04oPJTbeykxEcmF0InyF2m2MehwXtJAjJJzfyoIwfmcsWEaB9jB4Fte2PQZ-bIDgb924FJB78W4ZXl9t4rAJiNwd4SnrISDOaibOSIr4m5NSQUC9Hyvt42eeoHgLvmg/s640/gale+invoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmy3iAquB2MdL04oPJTbeykxEcmF0InyF2m2MehwXtJAjJJzfyoIwfmcsWEaB9jB4Fte2PQZ-bIDgb924FJB78W4ZXl9t4rAJiNwd4SnrISDOaibOSIr4m5NSQUC9Hyvt42eeoHgLvmg/s320/gale+invoice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div> ORIGINAL INVOICE FOR PURCHASE<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcV01K5yqTRB3ZNjXBl31vpZPxxaEee4QSYCxh-t1D3w9Z7KIEqFkSlpDYMQf3X_u4kF24yqC7KhrYnVisSruyq1n4BJ49ilEEjWYnsHhUdRnh-T2qMVtmc4niQRt3lmIiRtdVDvqsrc/s506/gale+approvals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="506" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcV01K5yqTRB3ZNjXBl31vpZPxxaEee4QSYCxh-t1D3w9Z7KIEqFkSlpDYMQf3X_u4kF24yqC7KhrYnVisSruyq1n4BJ49ilEEjWYnsHhUdRnh-T2qMVtmc4niQRt3lmIiRtdVDvqsrc/s320/gale+approvals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ENTRY SHOWING BLANKET APPROVAL FOR GALE'S PURCHASE WITH CITY DOLLARS. APPROVED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROSADO, CITY CLERK MACGREGOR AND COUNCIL AIDE DAVID GRANT. RUBBER STAMP CHECKS AND BALANCES, NOT GOOD PROCESS</div><br /><p></p><p>It was apparently only after COO Thea Montanez was made aware of the purchase that she told Gale to self report himself to the City's Ethics Commission for his ethics violation. That action by Montanez was detailed in her e-mail to me today after I began questioning Gale's purchase and apparent misuse of City funds. That e-mail is below.</p><p>Since I raised the issue, Councilman Gale has reportedly reimbursed the City almost $4,000 for his propaganda purchase</p><p><b><i>COO Montanez's explanation e-mail to me today</i></b></p><pre style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 0.1rem; margin-top: 0.1rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello -
Hello -
On Tuesday, Dec.1st, Council President informed me that Councilman Gale used city funds to purchase pins as a thank you to city employees and the pins were purchased from a business owned by a member of his immediate family (Hartford Prints!). That same day, I contacted Councilman Gale to confirm whether this was accurate and he confirmed it was. I informed Councilman Gale that I was concerned that the purchase potentially violated the City’s Ethics Code.
As a follow up to our discussion, Councilman Gale self reported the purchase to the Ethics Commission via Corporation Counsel’s Office. He informed the corporation counsel's office of his intent to reimburse the city for the expense and since then, he has submitted payment to the city.
There were 1400 pins and pin backers that were ordered that totaled $3100. In addition, he ordered 1400 envelopes, which included digital printing services and that was an additional $400 for a total of $3500. The total amount invoiced was approximately $3700 because tax was charged.
Each pin was placed in an envelope with a thank you note signed by “Councilman John Q. Gale, The Hartford Party.” The pins were ordered in March and invoiced and paid in June. The funds initially used were general fund dollars appropriated to the City Council in the FY21 city budget for the purposes of civic engagement, to be spent at Council's sole discretion.
Thank you, Thea</pre><p><br /></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-47397207195449341262021-09-17T14:47:00.000-04:002021-09-17T14:47:01.206-04:00IF YOU ARE A POSTER CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING YOUR ANONYMITY, PLEASE READ THIS!!!<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A note from My Lawyer, Mario:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Reader:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />The founders of our country anonymously criticized government since the early colonial days. They knew it was an important way to share ideas. They knew about the danger of retaliation. There’s history here. There’s tradition here. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anonymity is also really important to a very smart Attorney, Paul Levy. Attorney Levy is offering to help people who posted here to protect their anonymity. He is offering to do so <b>pro bono</b>, which means there is no fee. You can reach Attorney Levy by e-mail at <a href="mailto:plevy@citizen.org" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">plevy@citizen.org</a> or by phone at 202-588-7725. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Levy has represented hundreds of anonymous speakers over the past 20 years, always pro bono. You can learn a little more about Levy here: <a href="https://www.citizen.org/about/person/paul-alan-levy/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.citizen.org/about/person/paul-alan-levy/</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />If you have posted here and you are worried about staying anonymous, you have a right to have that anonymity protected. It’s part of the freedom of speech. We want you to have the tools to protect your anonymity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We thank you for your continuing support.</span></i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Mario Cerame<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Associate Attorney<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Brignole, Bush & Lewis<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">73 Wadsworth Street<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Hartford, CT 06106<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Phone: (860) 527-9973<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fax: (860) 527-5929</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-89908384575951073782021-09-02T12:21:00.003-04:002021-09-02T12:36:42.102-04:00IS THIS AMERICA?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Gf_KFtV1f0YCt5yVbI_dSAinDrLd1XzvFQAsoscxfpGyKwVowFJXTSHdOXHX8nMZ2DlqY_8o0t6pKi5RWfkNSadoLGgqQapqRdgTWjzIyCk2yQ8cR7ykzJFTBOVr-2rl8Ht2lxerAPI/s800/we+the+people_12+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="800" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Gf_KFtV1f0YCt5yVbI_dSAinDrLd1XzvFQAsoscxfpGyKwVowFJXTSHdOXHX8nMZ2DlqY_8o0t6pKi5RWfkNSadoLGgqQapqRdgTWjzIyCk2yQ8cR7ykzJFTBOVr-2rl8Ht2lxerAPI/s320/we+the+people_12+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This court decision just seems wrong to me in so many ways. The Court order for me to turn my laptop and cellphone over to a disgruntled Hartford Police Lieutenant just does not seem like America.<p></p><p>Let me just start by saying that at no time did Hartford Police Lieutenant Vincent Benvenuto ever attempt to contact me to ask that I remove something that he found offensive or questionable. I have done that several times in the past when someone would call me and say that they thought a comment was unfair or baseless.</p><p>It also seems a huge invasion that someone can tramp through my personal devices to settle a vendetta or for whatever reason he wants to find out the identities of commentors. For example , both devices have medical in formation, banking information and other personal data.</p><p>Event though Google told the plaintiff that the information they are looking for is not available and even their expert testified that it may not be available, the judge still issued his order. It almost feels like Benvenuto has gained access to my home and allowed tgo paw through my desk and file cabinet on his search to soothe his hurt feelings</p><p>There was never any mention of anything threatening or criminal in nature in the comments, it was the personal feelings of the commentor's, nothing more.</p><p>It was also obvious that the HPD command staff did not look favorably on the blog , and on more that one occasion voiced their displeasure with having their dirty laundry aired on the blog. It also seems a little odd to me that a Police Lieutenant would kick up the money to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit over hurt feelings. Who is funding this suit? Was it a coincidence that Benvenuto was moved into on e of the "gravy" positions at HPD as the Commander of the Intelligence Division immediately after the suit was filed? Was the position a reward from the Command Staff for trying to silence the blog? We will probably never know .</p><p>That move did not last long. Benvenuto was moved back to the Patrol Division shortly after he filed yet another lawsuit against HPD Chief Thody and Mayor Bronin. The reason you might ask? Benvenuto's fellings were hurt on ce again when Thody refused to give Benvenuto a take home car for his daily commute to his home in Brewster, NewYork.</p><p>An appeal is not cheap, but I think I owe it to m y sources and the commentor's who have placed their trust in me and this blog. Any help in funding that would be greatly appreciated. This ruling will set a dangerous precedent for media outlets, social media users and journalists and can be wide reaching.</p><p>Thank you in advance</p><p>Go Fund Me link here-<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/court-appeal-and-legal-fees?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1">GO FUND ME</a> or you can search under my name , Kevin Brookman, at gofundme.com. All donations are anonymous.You can also use venmo.com and follow the link here to make a donation.</p><p><br /></p><p>You can view the entire case and filings here<a href="http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/CaseDetail/PublicCaseDetail.aspx?DocketNo=HHDCV196119733S">http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/CaseDetail/PublicCaseDetail.aspx?DocketNo=HHDCV196119733S</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Link to Judge Noble's decision-<a href="http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DocumentInquiry/DocumentInquiry.aspx?DocumentNo=21296387" target="_blank">http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DocumentInquiry/DocumentInquiry.aspx?DocumentNo=21296387</a></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-89485373784662740462021-07-30T20:15:00.054-04:002021-07-30T21:13:01.637-04:00MORE HARTFORD CITY HALL CORRUPTION<p> The following report was obtained through a Freedom of Information request from Hartford's Auditors.</p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This report proves the old adage, you get what you pay for and seems to show that Government operations should not be handed out as political favors, rather than relying on experience in the appropriate fields.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I won't rehash the entire report, but essentially the audit uncovered an alleged pattern and practice of embezzlement of cash funds from the City of Hartford Vital Records Division</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Theft of City funds is probably as old as the City of Hartford itself, but unfortunately the safeguards that should be in place to prevent these thefts, are not.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It seems all to often we see these thefts go unchecked, whether it is tens of thousands of dollars from Students Activity accounts at the Board of Education or now a supervisor in the Town Clerks office skimming cash receipts from vital records by allegedly voiding cash transactions and pocketing the cash..</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> It also appears, as detailed in the report, the employee knew that auditors were on her heels of tracking her criminal deeds and the employee let herself into City Hall on a Saturday morning to destroy the records that showed her thefts.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The dollar of the thefts is undetermined, essentially because the records have been destroyed by the employee in question, but it is estimated these thefts may have gone on for upwards of two decades.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I hate to say it, but only in Hartford can an employee steal like this, undetected, as they build their pension at the taxpayers expense with little or no fear of detection or criminal prosecution. An employee that had basic management skills should have been on top of this, especially after numerous warnings from auditors. This is what happens when people with no management experience are put in jobs because of their political connections and who they know, not what they know.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Hartford City Clerk is a political appointment made by the Hartford City Council with no testing process or standardized requirements to manage the Department.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is also interesting to note that probably one of the most qualified persons who applied for the Town Clerk's position, Eric Lusa. and was passed over. was the person who eventually noticed the suspicious activity and requested City auditors tor "take a deep dive" and investigate the Vital Records operations. Good job Eric for paying attention and speaking up.</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">THE AUDITOR'S REPORT IS BELOW:</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At
the request of the Town and City Clerk we completed a follow up audit in July
2021 to specific issues related to transactions recorded by the Vital Records
Unit (VRU) supervisor into the City financial system, Munis in 2019, 2020 and
2021. The purpose of the audit was to evaluate and test the accuracy and
propriety of transactions processed by the VRU supervisor and other employees
as necessary. The following includes
only exceptions noted. The results of our examination were reviewed with N. McGregor,
Town and City Clerk and shared with Corporation Counsel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="TableParagraph" style="margin-right: -1.8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The VRU
supervisor has been employed by the City for the past 34 years, 17 of those in
the VRU of the Town Clerk’s office. We found that there was a complete lack of
good internal controls and segregation of duties related to the supervisor’s
recording of transactions and preparation of the daily batch balancing and cash
deposit process. The supervisor could process daily transactions including MUNIS
transaction reversals, collect cash, record sales, reconcile daily work batches
and prepare the daily deposit alone with no witness, and then sent to the City
treasurer’s office. There was no process to periodically review the
supervisor’s work. There were no security cameras in the VRU. The lack of
adequate internal controls and appropriate segregation of duties with access to
cash, creates an environment extremely susceptible to the misappropriation of
funds. During the beginning of our follow up audit in March 2021 we had
concerns that the accounting records that we needed to examine may be tampered
with or destroyed. We requested that the Town Clerk have the VRU supervisor put
on administrative leave during the duration of the audit in order to preserve
the accounting records. Just prior to the VRU supervisor being put on
administrative leave on April 28, 2021, the VRU supervisor contacted Iron
Mountain Enterprise Information Management Company to shred accounting records
for the VRU. The VRU supervisor did this
without the knowledge of the Town and City Clerk. We found, with the assistance
of the Town Clerk that 2019, part of our investigative period of transactions,
and many prior years accounting records were picked up for shredding by Iron
Mountain in bins filled by the VRU supervisor on the Saturday before being put
on administrative leave. These actions were in direct violation of the State of
Connecticut document retention mandates and request for document destruction
permission processes mandated by the State. Because most of the 2019 accounting
documents were destroyed, we could not fully audit 2019 transactions. During
our audit we found that the supervisor’s daily recording of transactions was
not in accordance with established VRU procedures followed by the other VRU
employees. Although the VRU operating procedures were apparently known by the
VRU employees, the procedures were not documented in writing. Of the 92 transactions
processed by the supervisor that we had accounting records available for
examination, over half were not processed in accordance with established
operating procedures. Critical fields in the MUNIS system were either vacant,
incomplete, false all of which made it extremely difficult to follow and
determine the legitimacy of the transactions. The evidential matter available
to us was not sufficient to determine the complete extent of possible improper transaction
recordings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TableParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Background</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The Vital
Records Unit (VRU) of the Town and City Clerk’s (TCC) Office (reports to City
Council) is responsible for providing the public with copies of vital records
such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, burial and
cremation permits, disinterment services and notary services. VRU charges its customers Connecticut State
mandated fees ranging from $2 to $50 depending on the type of document. A portion ($16) of each marriage certificate
is remitted to the state of Connecticut’s Department of Public Health. A majority of the transactions are processed
over the counter in the VRU office in City Hall with customers paying with cash
and with credit cards. Customers also
request documents by mail, facsimile or through the Internet. These transactions are paid by money order or
credit card. VRU also bills and collects
revenue generated from fees assessed to other cities and towns for document
services provided. VRU uses the Cash
Receipt module of the MUNIS Financial Management System (MUNIS) to process and
account for cash, checks, money orders and credit card receipts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">On July 23,
2020, we issued our audit report #2017 covering the Revenue Accounts and
Operations of the Vital Records Unit of the Town and City Clerk’s Office. We
reported in this report and also in a similar report issued in 2015 the
following:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 6pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->During
the period from July 1, 2019, to February 14, 2020, we noted 355 reversal of
cash receipt transactions totaling $16,910 that were processed in MUNIS by
VRU. There is no indication that these
transactions are being monitored, reviewed, and approved by supervisory
personnel. In addition, all VRU
employees that receive, and process payments are also able to process
reversals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-right: -1.8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->There is
no indication that VRU supervisory personnel review the daily cash receipt
transactions and summaries to verify that all activity has been properly
accounted for throughout the process and recorded in MUNIS as required. This includes reconciling transactions recorded
in MUNIS to applications and other supporting documentation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Town Clerk responded
that “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was appointed as Town and City
Clerk on March 9, 2020. This is an area I have not had a chance to look into
because of COVID 19, but do recognize there needs documentation, and
verification of reversal transactions by a supervisor. We will work on the
comments detailed above and will act to follow-up on and address each of the
related recommendations as noted and will work with the Internal Audit
Department to develop such directives”. In March 2021, the assistant Town Clerk
asked the Chief Auditor if the internal audit department could take a deep dive
into MUNIS reversal transactions because he had suspicions of improper
accounting entries and possibly misappropriation of City funds perpetrated by the
Vital Records supervisor. We met with the Town Clerk and the Assistant Town
Clerk and agreed to perform audit work related to management’s concerns. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt;">Scope<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12pt; margin-right: 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The scope of our
audit included various reviews and tests of transactions recorded by the VRU supervisor
and others primarily during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, and 2021. We
performed</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> tests and reviews of daily cash
receipts, bank deposits and related accounting, recording and balancing
processes and reviews and tests of credit and voided transactions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><u><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">II. AUDIT
RESULTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">City VRU Records Destroyed During the
Investigation <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During the beginning of our audit, we had concerns
that the 2019 and current accounting records that we needed to examine may be
destroyed. We requested that the Town Clerk put the VRU supervisor on
administrative leave in order to preserve the accounting records. Before the
supervisor was put on administrative leave, she contacted Iron Mountain
Enterprise information management company to shred City VRU accounting records
without the knowledge of the Town Clerk. We found, with the assistance of the
Town Clerk, that most of the 2019 VRU manual accounting record, part of our
investigative period, and many prior years accounting records were picked up by
Iron Mountain, their secured bins filled by the supervisor, for destruction
without the express permission of the Town Clerk or the State of Connecticut.
The act of having municipal records destroyed prior to the state’s mandated
retention period and during an audit/investigation was in direct violation of
the State of Connecticut document retention mandates. Practically all of 2019
manual accounting records/daily work batches were destroyed during our audit
that started in March of 2021. The following is an excerpt from the State
Document retention mandates <a href="https://atlas.ct.gov/Portal/pages/index.jsp">https://atlas.ct.gov/Portal/pages/index.jsp</a>,
record series title – Cash Receipts, Disbursement ledgers, Journals, Books,
etc. Minimum retention period is Fiscal Year End plus three years.<span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Inadequate Segregation of the
Supervisor’s Duties<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 2.7pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We found that the internal controls and segregation of
duties related to the VRU supervisor’s recording of transactions and
preparation of the dialing batch balancing and cash deposit process were
inadequate. The VRU supervisor could process daily transactions including the
reversal of sale transactions in MUNIS, collect cash, record sale transactions
in MUNIS, reconcile daily work batches and prepare the daily deposit with no witness
prior to sending it to the City treasurer’s office. There was no process to
periodically review the VRU supervisor’s work, as mentioned below, and there
were no security cameras in the VRU. The lack of adequate internal controls,
management oversite and appropriate segregation of duties, including access to
cash, creates an environment susceptible to the misappropriation of funds and
inappropriate accounting entries.<u><span style="color: #5b9bd5;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Town Clerk Management Oversight<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
could not find any evidence that there was any documented management oversight
of the VRU supervisor’s work during the past two Town Clerk’s terms. Such
management oversite would include periodic documented reviews of the VRU supervisors
work in light of a lack of segregation of duties including access to cash
transaction recording in MUNIS and solely performing the daily deposit and work
batch reconciliations. No management action, to our knowledge, was taken to correct
issues reported in our 2015 audit report covering the VRU operations,
specifically the issue related to reversals of recorded transactions in MUNIS.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Procedures and Controls<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Procedures
for the collection, processing, recording, deposit and balancing of cash
receipts; and fee billing and collection processes were not adequately
documented in writing. Documenting
procedures and controls for key processes in narrative form in writing is a
basis for good internal controls and provides management with a baseline for
evaluating day-to-day activities and employee performance. We recommend that TCC management document
procedures, process flows and related key controls for the areas noted above in
writing. Ideally, these procedures and
process flows should be documented using automated tools such as Microsoft Word
or Excel so that they can be easily updated as necessary with any required
changes. Key controls and the
individuals/positions responsible for them should be noted where appropriate in
the documentation. Although the procedures are not documented in writing, each
VRU staff member is required to follow their supervisor’s verbal training in
those areas. The VRU staff was
apparently trained on the proper recording of transactions in MUNIS. at the
start of each VRU staff employment and they are expected to follow those procedures
as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Each customer’s application, for Marriage
Licenses, Burial Permits, and Death and Birth Certificates must be separately
recorded in MUNIS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All cash receipts should be
recorded immediately by the cashier in MUNIS</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All checks, cash, money
order, and credit cards should be recorded in MUNIS with the correct amount, check/money
order and credit cards numbers</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->At the end of each day, all applications for
Marriage Licenses, Burial Permits, Death and Birth Certificates, check images,
visa receipts and MUINS payment proof reports must be attached to each VRU
staff batch package<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->All customer transactions must be properly
identified in MUNIS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->In the “Paid by” field, in the MUNIS cash
receipt module, the name of the customer must be recorded<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.5pt; margin-right: -1.8pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in -1.8pt 0in 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The payment method should be recorded and
properly identified with a check or credit card number <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -1.8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As noted in the details that follow the VRU
supervisor’s processing of transactions in many instances are not in accordance
with the procedures that the staff was trained on when processing like or
similar transactions. The results listed below resulted from our audit work
which include an examination of 205 MUNIS transaction reversals recorded
between July 2019 and April 2021 related to the VRU supervisor’s daily work
batches:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In several instances, 159 out of the 205 reversal
transactions were not properly identified and were in violation of most of, if
not all the seven establish internal processes, procedures and controls listed
above specifically as it relates to transaction recordings of Death
Certificates. We identified more than 69 of the 205 reversal transactions,
where the reversed sale was paid by check, the field in MUNIS identifying the payer
was not properly posted. Instead of the name of the customer, as required, the
“paid by” field said either “deaths” or “Customer”. By not posting the customer’s name accurately
it would be extremely difficult to identify the actual customer and make it
easier to mask a misappropriation of funds. <span style="color: #0070c0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the “paid by’’ section labeled Deaths, we found
several different funeral homes made payments for Death Certificates that were
recorded on one receipt instead of separate receipts for each funeral home as
required, payments by check were recorded in MUNIS with no check number or an
invalid check number. As a result, we could not trace these transactions to the
daily bank deposit. It appears that these types of transactions were recorded
in MUNIS to replace actual cash receipts that may not have been included in the
daily deposit. <span style="color: #0070c0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the “paid by” section labeled Customers, we found
several different funeral homes check payments that were recorded for sales
other than death certificates such as birth certificates and plastic covers,
thing funeral homes do not purchase from the VRU. We contacted the related
funeral homes, and we were informed that they did not request any birth
certificates or covers from the City of Hartford and that they only purchase
copies of death certificates. We also found credit card payments that were
improperly recorded as sales of death certificates. These transactions could have
the appearance of being made to replace unrecorded cash payments not included
in the daily bank deposit.<span style="color: #0070c0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A reversed check payment made for death certificates,
with no other replacing entry in MUNIS, was deposited in the City of Hartford
bank account. On March 2, 2021, the VRU
supervisor processed a check totaling $105 for five death certificates and one
burial permit. The transaction was recorded in MUNIS, and the customer received
five certified death certificates and one burial permit. On March 3, 2021, the
VRU supervisor reversed $105 check payment that was previously recorded on
March 2, 2021. Later that afternoon, on March 3, 2021, the VRU supervisor
prepared the daily batches, March 2, 2021, for deposit, which also included the
$105 reversed/unrecorded check payment, in the City bank account. It appears
that the deposit of the check related to the reversal of the sale in MUNIS was used
to replace cash that was not recorded in MUNIS or deposited in the bank. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We found instances where check payments recorded in
MUNIS were completely different form the amount deposited in the bank account. One
check was recorded in MUNIS as $105; however, the bank deposit indicated that
the check was for $40. It appears that the $65 difference was used to replace
$65 of the $105 reversed/unrecorded check deposit mention in item four
above. Also, a check payment totaling
$40 was recorded in MUNIS with no check number and we could not find it
deposited into the bank. It appears that this check was never remitted by a
customer, is not a valid transaction and was made to reconciled MUNIS sales to
the daily bank deposit inappropriately. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We found a cash payment made to the VRU that was
incorrectly recorded in MUNIS but was in the daily bank deposit. The VRU
supervisor received, as evidenced by a signed receipt from a funeral home, $170
cash payment. The cash payment was a reimbursement to the City for an
insufficient funds returned check for a transaction purchasing six death
certificates for $120 and a $50 bounced check fee. The VRU supervisor recorded
in MUNIS $100 for death certificates and $50 for the NFS fee. The VRU
supervisor did not follow the proper procedure related to an accounts
receivable payment. The proper procedure for an accounts receivable payment is
to create a single receipt batch for the total amount received and to notify the
City Custody of Funds division, Treasurer’s Department, of the payment. Because
the payment was not properly recorded in MUNIS the Custody of Funds division
did not clear the accounts receivable amount until February 2021, more than
four months after the payment was received. The $20 cash difference between the
$120 received and the $100 that was recorded in MUNIS could not be located in
the City bank account. The VRU supervisor could not explain the $20 difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We found another instance where the VRU supervisor
received a check for $200 from a funeral home for the purchase of 10 death
certificates; however, we could not find the related entry in MUNIS, but we
found the deposit in the bank. It appears that in order to reconcile MUNIS
transactions to the bank deposit for that day, the VRU supervisor recorded in
MUNIS several fictitious check numbers to total $200. It appears that that
these fictitious check numbers and amounts were inappropriately recorded to
account for unrecorded funds of $200. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We found two instances where the VRU supervisor used
check payments received, from three separate funeral homes for the purchase of
death certificates, to apply in MUNIS to birth certificates and birth
certificate plastic cover accounts. A detail review of these transactions
indicates the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -16.5pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->One funeral home, applied, paid for, and obtained 20
death certificates and one burial permit for $405 through the VRU supervisor.
However, the transaction recorded in MUNIS indicates that the funeral home
received a birth certificate plastic cover for $2 and $383.00 for death
certificates. The funeral home indicated that they only applied for 20 death
certificates ($400) and one burial permit ($5) but didn’t apply for or receive
any plastic cover. The difference of $20 not recorded in MUNIS and the cover
recording could not be explained by the VRU supervisor. The difference could
have the appearance of been used to account for unrecorded cash receipts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 39.0pt; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in 0in 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Three funeral homes purchased nine copies of two
different death certificates, four burial permits and paid a total of $200.
However, a review of the related MUNIS transactions indicates that the $200 in checks
that were received for death certificates and burial permits, were recorded to
the birth certificate and plastic cover charge allocation account. It appears that the inappropriate
transactions made to the birth certificate and plastic cover account was done
to account for unrecorded cash receipts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->On July 21, 2020, a customer applied for two
separate birth certificates at $20 each.
The applications for a birth certificate copies indicated that one
application was for the applicant’s child and the other was for the applicant’s
grandchild. The application for the grandchild also indicated that the
applicant must present the child’s birth record. A review of the applications
indicated that the VRU supervisor approved the customer application and when
questioned the VRU supervisor did admit that the applications were approved.
Based on the VRU supervisor approval, it appears that a $40 payment was
received for the birth certificates, and they were given to the customer. We
could not find the related transaction in MUNIS, nor could we find the cash
deposit in the bank. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: 0.1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Our review of 707 receipts recorded in MUNIS
and labeled not reversed disclosed that 43 were manually reversed. We noted
that 23 of the 43 transactions were for,
either incomplete receipt and cash/credit payments and adjustments for
reconciled items. It should be noted
that 15 out of the 23 transactions were for credit card payments. We could not determine the reasons for this
transaction due to a lack of MUNIS documentation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .1in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.1in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->A review of two of
the VRU supervisor’s daily transactions batches, dated October 28, 2020, and
July 21, 2020, disclosed that the VRU supervisor recorded in MUNIS, on October
28,2020, a cash payment of $20 for a copy of a marriage certificate. The recording
was part of the total cash payments of $240. However, on October 29, 2020, the
VRU supervisor included in the daily cash payments of only $220. On November 23,
2020, the VRU supervisor was informed by the Treasurer department that the daily
batch did not match the deposit received by the bank. On November 24, 2020, the
VRU supervisor, without conducting a due diligent research, reversed $20 from a
check amount received from a funeral home for a death certificate. On the day
of the initial October 28, 2020, recording, the VRU supervisor received $120
for six death certificates and the amount was correctly recorded in MUNIS and
was part of the daily deposit. We also noted that on October 28, 2020, the
Vital Records supervisor recorded in MUNIS a cash payment of $20 for a copy of
a marriage certificate. This recording has part of the customer’s name, the
amount, payment method and was never reversed in MUNIS. An actual copy of the application was found
in the VRU supervisor’s daily batch package. After a review of the marriage certificate,
we determine that the customer received a copy of the marriage
certificate. It is our opinion that an
actual customer came to the Vital Records office and apply for a copy of a
marriage certificate, received a copy, and paid the correct amount in cash.
However, the Vital Records supervisor could not account for the missing $20. We
could not determine what happen to the $20 cash payment between the day of the
transaction and the day it was prepared for deposit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Interview with the VRU Supervisor<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">On June 16, 2021, a meeting was held with the VRU
supervisor to explain the business purpose of several accounting transactions
and other related issues noted in this report. In attendance were the Chief
Auditor, VRU Supervisor, HEMEA Union Representative and two Internal Audit
Staff. During the two-hour meeting, the Supervisor could not adequately explain
the business reason for entering numerous transactions into MUNIS related to
VRU cash, credit card and check transactions. Most of the Supervisor’s answers
to Internal Audit’s questions were, I do not remember or do not know the answer,
or it must be a mistake. The business reasons for adjusting/reversing
transactions were not documented or could not be explained in most questioned
instances. At times the Supervisor was agitated and confrontational. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Town Clerk Management Actions Taken
to Date<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">This memo is to provide an update on steps
taken by the Town Clerk to remedy identified concerns in the Vital Records
Unit. This update is not a completed list of the corrections that need to be
made but we hope are steps taken immediately to correct past accounting
deficiencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Installed IQS accounting software which will detail each
transaction and will eliminate reversals and manual input to MUNIS. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Each
transaction is identified and put into separate accounts therefore
removing Transcript of Records as the sole depository of transactions<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Installed receipt printers at POS, with connected cash
drawers.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Deposits are done with two persons in Town Clerk’s
office under cameras.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Safes repaired and are able be locked.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Security cameras ordered and waiting vendor
installation.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Corrected
process of collecting of NSF.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We are in the process of updating all policy and
procedures.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: red; line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Card key will be required to enter secured working area from
lobby of Vital Records Unit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify;"><a name="_Hlk77320092"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Removed Vital Records supervisor as
authorized on Iron Mountain account to shred records, the Town Clerk will
be the only authorized person.<o:p></o:p></span></a></li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Next Steps<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Town Clerk will keep the Internal Audit
Department up to date with future actions taken to improve the controls in
the VRU. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Town Clerk will determine the appropriate personnel
action to take, if any, related the VRU supervisor and he will work with
the City Human Relations office and the City Corporation Counsel’s office
based on the action he deems appropriate.
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Distribution:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">City
Council Members
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Internal
Audit Commission Members <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">L.
Bronin, Mayor <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A. Cloud, Treasurer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">J.
Hockenhull, Chief Financial Officer </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">T. Montanez, Chief Operating
Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">L.A. Ralls, Finance Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">H. Rifkin, Corporation
Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; tab-stops: 139.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">V. Rossitto, Partner, Blum
Shapiro<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></b>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-38459227884597749442021-06-07T13:06:00.000-04:002021-06-07T13:06:34.764-04:00JASON FIDDLES WHILE HPD BURNS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BqEZs2YvnUsCWcPYPeB0Yj70VWVeUxHqV5zseWRjR_uALzQ03NzIQWB67Ec_ZmzvgI2LH3u6ltYqhZDvjr1qbvaHMAaURsZzWUQTfIPD_hMCTkspKh61TL9TbRQxHD6XxpunNoUQIwo/s651/order+in.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BqEZs2YvnUsCWcPYPeB0Yj70VWVeUxHqV5zseWRjR_uALzQ03NzIQWB67Ec_ZmzvgI2LH3u6ltYqhZDvjr1qbvaHMAaURsZzWUQTfIPD_hMCTkspKh61TL9TbRQxHD6XxpunNoUQIwo/s320/order+in.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><u>E-mail begging for staffing help at HPD , Sunday ,June 6,2021</u></i></b></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm not sure when Hartford City Hall is going to start paying attention to the disaster that the Hartford Police Department Administration has become.</p><p>At the risk of beating a dead horse, the number of officers jumping ship to get away from the floundering department should be alarming. All recruitment efforts have pretty much been in vain as the numbers of good officers, including minority and female officers have become the feeder system for just about every other Department in the state. And to be quite honest, what Police Chief would not gladly hire a Hartford Police officer (in good standing)in a heartbeat. With all due respect to Police Officers statewide ,Hartford Police Officers experience more in their first year on the job than most others in smaller departments may see in their entire careers.</p><p>But sadly, most officers are not bailing from HPD because of lower pay or benefits. The reason I keep being told is the lack of leadership and feeling unappreciated ,has forced officers to start looking elsewhere.</p><p>I would almost say, it is not a lack of leadership...there is no leadership'</p><p>For the Memorial Day Weekend, staffing levels were so bad, officers were ordered in and days off were canceled. For the good of the Department and the safety of the City, I could understand that move. Even though I think it is the height of incompetence to let staffing levels get that low and no one is concerned.</p><p>But then, after ordering officer's in and telling them that days off are cancelled., their Chief takes off and heads to Florida. Now there's a morale builder move</p><p>And the "not-in-command" staff were so concerned about the City, they weren't paying attention to the violence or distributing data to their officers or sharing data with Community partners to stem the violence. No the HPD brain trust was more concerned firing off e-mails trying to figure out who would be manning the grill for hot dogs and hamburgers on Memorial Day. That sounds like a Lieutenants position that is wasted money.</p><p>Jason Thody is and has been the furthest thing from being the poster child for "leadership by example". Instead he should be writing the book "how not to act as a Police Chief" or maybe "Being a Police Chief for Dummies"</p><p>For Thody to leave the City as Homicides are spiking and typically one of the busiest events, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, is taking place is unbelievable. And then for his not in "Command Staff" to have to issue a Mayday call begging for help is amazing and shows the condition HPD is in.</p><p>We can only hope that Thody's trip to Florida was a one-way ticket. </p><p>Its time to shine the "Batman beacon" over the City of Hartford and get a real Chief that can lead.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXSvZ508scQDJ36a02rfQb4ZTdOs9tbWAYTKpF0AZ58LQi3puxNYSRVaGhuYlB6ApuRKBDxnoVvEmlnjbbt7LIz-Rj-JwC2o9b6cumIGr73mzK8PC4m9K-iPie3uYmvCUCwpW9vXFM54/s254/bat+beacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXSvZ508scQDJ36a02rfQb4ZTdOs9tbWAYTKpF0AZ58LQi3puxNYSRVaGhuYlB6ApuRKBDxnoVvEmlnjbbt7LIz-Rj-JwC2o9b6cumIGr73mzK8PC4m9K-iPie3uYmvCUCwpW9vXFM54/s0/bat+beacon.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-15588965967042912152021-05-04T21:08:00.002-04:002021-05-04T21:10:35.467-04:00GREATER HARTFORD AFRICAN AMERICAN ALLIANCE TO CALL FOR POLICE CHIEF THODY'S IMMEDIATE REMOVAL<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZKrKEwEiPdu1RSynx_g7ag3IArZ0Q0UCwI0HNKhZBxK-e3x2F1fOGQ9fmjLsGWjZQmIfNV0Wk1v1rvOK-tfDuqGw7UW-FR3elMyWq1hxp8SoNJbLLxjkSRIeLzTErT646TW6o_Wzhpo/s180/thody+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="115" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZKrKEwEiPdu1RSynx_g7ag3IArZ0Q0UCwI0HNKhZBxK-e3x2F1fOGQ9fmjLsGWjZQmIfNV0Wk1v1rvOK-tfDuqGw7UW-FR3elMyWq1hxp8SoNJbLLxjkSRIeLzTErT646TW6o_Wzhpo/w152-h237/thody+headshot.jpg" width="152" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2oQ9Mnc5AZ4dcHrqefVJoJTqp8LkVM4x2n0cnjo5GALkz0ZZjcddRpTBfi4iifK83JmNv8EOMW88vI5eMV_Zh9tyWrIYQSE-U6n4V3JLRLCGsetR7R55XMTRFH4XKdtFiDqCT9RjRRk/s2048/GHAAA+LETTER+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1583" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2oQ9Mnc5AZ4dcHrqefVJoJTqp8LkVM4x2n0cnjo5GALkz0ZZjcddRpTBfi4iifK83JmNv8EOMW88vI5eMV_Zh9tyWrIYQSE-U6n4V3JLRLCGsetR7R55XMTRFH4XKdtFiDqCT9RjRRk/s320/GHAAA+LETTER+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />In a strongly worded letter, The Greater Hartford African American Alliance, under the leadership of their President, J. Stan McCauley, has drafted a letter, to be delivered to Mayor Luke Bronin tomorrow, The document will be hand delivered to Mayor Bronin tomorrow after a public press conference and the reading of the letter on the steps of Hartford City Hall at 12:00 noon. The Alliance is calling for the immediate removal of Police Chief Jason Thody, after the recently publicized assault of a female prisoner at HPD Booking facility and based upon Thody's history of "lack of integrity, personal conduct and failure to establish a culture of transparency, fairness and equal opportunity". The letter cites many of Thody's failures and bad deeds during his tenure.<p></p><p><b>The text of the full letter to be delivered to Mayor Bronin tomorrow is below:</b></p><p>The Honorable Mayor Luke Bronin</p><p> City Hall ,550 Main Street, Room 200</p><p>Hartford, Connecticut 06103</p><p> Luke.Bronin@Hartford.gov </p><p>Mayor Luke Bronin, </p><p>The Greater Hartford African American Alliance (The Alliance) is writing to call your attention to the horrific
misconduct of an on-duty white police sergeant who assaulted a black civilian woman while she was in the
custody and care of the City of Hartford, and we demand immediate redress. There is no longer trust,
legitimacy, or confidence in the ability of the Hartford Police Department (HPD) to police itself. Misconduct
appears to be the order of the day. The announced outcomes of recent disciplinary actions of HPD personnel
involved with the “Dead Pool'' appear not to be factual, transparent, nor appropriate for the nature of the
offenses committed; equally alarming are the unannounced outcomes for the personnel involved from the
Office of the State’s Attorney. Systemic inaction is complicit with prejudiced biases, destroys social
connectivity, decreases community resistance to crime and has eroded the public’s trust in the local justice
system. We insist that an independent federal entity, unaffiliated with the City of Hartford or the State of CT,
perform a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of the police sergeant. Because building trust and
legitimacy on both sides of the police-citizen divide is the foundational principle guiding relationships between
law enforcement and the communities they serve, oversight by the United States Department of Justice
(USDOJ) of the Hartford Police Department and the Office of the State’s Attorney is warranted to avert further
erosion of the public’s trust.</p><p> The Alliance supports the “Statement from Greater Hartford NAACP Regarding the Assault of an African American Woman by Hartford Police Officer” released to the press on April 27, 2021, calling for the immediate
termination of the police sergeant, a person in a supervisory position within HPD.</p><p> It is evident HPD has lost its credibility within the community with ongoing inappropriate behavior, and within
its ranks, as officers continue to leave the department in droves. Recent media highlight incidents which
illustrate the lack of ethics, morals and values, and inconsistent levels of discipline.</p><p> Chief Jason Thody’s lack of integrity, personal conduct; and failure to establish a culture of transparency,
fairness and equal opportunity; raise questions about his values and ability to lead this Department. Jason
Thody’s ongoing violation of the civil rights of sworn personnel under his command, and his incidents of poor
judgment, demonstrate a lack of social and emotional intelligence.</p><p> There is a confirmed report in 2010 which indicates Thody, while he served at the rank of Lieutenant, got into
a barroom incident while off-duty, and he was later disciplined and subsequently demoted “for conduct
unbecoming an employee, and for knowingly and willfully making a false entry in any Department or other
official report or record”. A citizen reported in May 2020 that Thody, while he served as Police Chief, was
erratically driving a City of Hartford police vehicle, struck a guardrail, caused property damage and evaded
the scene; claiming he was on the way to a Black Lives Matter event (a peaceful protest in response to the
murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer), which he never attended. </p><p> Sound decision making is the foundation and an essential characteristic of effective leadership; which was
not on display when Chief Thody allocated more than one million dollars for administrative vehicles while
leaving the HPD fleet for patrol officers in disrepair. This decision negatively impacts HPD’s ability to respond
to calls for service in a safe and timely manner, which jeopardizes the community at large.</p><p> Jason Thody is the defendant in multiple unresolved lawsuits concerning civil rights and discrimination
violations, including his refusal to act in a sexual harassment complaint filed by a member of HPD. Not only
that, there are also multiple active complaints filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
(CHRO) against Jason Thody in his role as the Assistant Chief responsible for Internal Affairs, prior to his
appointment as Chief of Police. These CHRO complaints involve disparate treatment asserting the practice
and use of vindictive and retaliatory investigations (against Black, Latino, female and LGBTQ+ members of
the department, including persecuting their allies) which have served to systematically block the advancement
of officers of color and protected classes. Chief Thody’s actions / inactions undermine the tenets of procedural
justice. He has repeatedly shown his indifference to the plight of and ability to effectively serve a community
of color, and he has failed to create a sustainable environment to recruit, retain and promote a diverse cadre
of police personnel.</p><p> The Alliance embraces the theories of community policing and the belief its success depends on promoting
organizational strategies supportive of the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques,
and hosted a Virtual Town Hall featuring HPD Chief Jason Thody, as the keynote on the evening of Thursday,
October 22, 2020, to discuss public safety. During this opportunity, Thody did very little to forge mutual trust
and cooperation as his statements were less than truthful and evasive when asked about his operational and
administrative plans, which provided further proof he lacks the guardian mindset required to build public trust
and legitimacy. </p><p>Disingenuously, when campaigning for the permanent position as Chief, Jason Thody committed to
assembling a diverse command staff, which would reflect the demographics of the City of Hartford and comply
with the Cintron v. Vaughn Federal Consent Decree and CT General Statute 7-291A. To date, he has not
promoted any person of color or any other protected class member to a command position from within HPD.
In September 2020, rather than using the historical practice of extending an active promotional list for a year,
at no cost to the City, Chief Thody elected to discard the promotional list, which contained two females and a
black male, all with graduate degrees and substantial years of service, who could have been promoted. Then
in April 2021, less than seven months later, exams have been announced for Lieutenants and Captains to be
held in July 2021, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars to the City, while we are actively negotiating budgets
and allocation of resources to meet the City’s needs. Discarding the promotional list was neither in compliance
with the federal consent decree nor was it an “efficient allocation of City resources”, as is the goal of the
FY2022 City of Hartford Budget. Moreover, better use of these funds could have been towards the training
and deployment of non-law enforcement responders to non-violent calls for service or to upgrade the fleet of
police vehicles for the patrol staff.</p><p> Hartford is but a heartbeat away from being featured in the headlines of the national news! Courageous action
and intentionality are required to own and address problems in the Hartford Police Department BEFORE
matters get out of control. Punching an unarmed woman in custody, in the presence of subordinate personnel,
on camera, is the canary in the mine! We find it curious that this incident was only brought to the Office of the
State’s Attorney for investigation after the story was published by a local reporter, over two and a half weeks
after the incident, which was neither “proactive or quick”.</p><p> It is also disturbing that, in defiance of the new Police Accountability Bill Public Act 20-1, the video was not
released within 96 hours of the incident. Additionally, the entire unedited video has yet to be released which
speaks to the lack of transparency. There are reports of additional misconduct by this same police sergeant
after the initial assault.</p><p>The community of Hartford expects and deserves racial reconciliation, and the Alliance will not tolerate the
continued mistreatment of people of color and members of protected classes, external or internal to HPD.
Beginning in May 2021, we are aware that interviews will be conducted for the position of sergeant, and we
expect those vacancies to be filled free of any discriminatory practices and by diverse personnel who reflect
the community.</p><p> Therefore, in addition to the NAACP’s demand for the immediate termination of the police sergeant, the
Alliance is also demanding that Chief Jason Thody be immediately relieved of his duties as Police Chief of
the City of Hartford. The restoration to build public trust and legitimacy will not occur with Jason Thody at the
helm. Based on Thody’s history of ignoring federal and state law, he should be prohibited from independently
making any further promotions or appointments. To truly change the culture of the HPD, procedural justice
must be the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices; and the community must also
have the ability to verify a credible system of accountability, which currently only exists on paper, and must
start with competent, ethical and trustworthy leadership.</p><p> Without action by our “Strong Mayor”, the Alliance will be forced to refer these matters to higher authorities.
We look forward to your confirmation of receipt and advisement.</p><p> Respectfully,</p><p> J. Stan McCauley,</p><p> President
Greater Hartford African American Alliance</p><p> GHAfricanAmericanAlliance@gmail.com
The Greater Hartford African American Alliance (The Alliance) is an unincorporated, nonpartisan alliance of individuals and
organizations joined together to share information, design strategies, and advocate for actions that benefit African American
communities within Greater Hartford, Connecticut. We exist to enhance the economic, educational, health, environmental, spiritual,
social and cultural experiences of African Americans within the Greater Hartford region. We provide a forum for open dialogue
regarding current issues and events of interest to identify key priorities, to establish community consensus and to set an agenda
toward collective action. </p><p>MEDIA REFERENCES:
Police Say Officer Violated Code Of Conduct - Courant Community, May 28, 2010 - Hartford Courant
https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-xpm-2010-05-28-hc-hartford-investigation0528-20100528-story.html
After another round of scrutiny, Hartford city council recommends confirmation of Interim Police Chief Jason Thody
February 4, 2020 By Rebecca Lurye Hartford Courant
https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-thody-montanez-meeting-20200205-g4yvfsjjbrcqrd4xdgjp5aw7va story.html?outputType=amp
Resolution Calls for the Suspension of Hartford Police Chief, Published July 12, 2020 - NBC Connecticut
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/resolution-calls-for-the-suspension-of-hartford-police-chief/2301263/?amp
Hartford Police Chief Disciplined After Crash in Department-Issued Vehicle, Published July 13, 2020 - NBC Connecticut
Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody was involved in an accident in his department-issued vehicle on Route 154 in Chester in May.
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/hartford-police-chief-disciplined-after-crash-in-department-issued-vehicle/2301631/?amp
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6987976/2020-07-13-Thody-Discipline-Letter.pdf
Hartford detective demoted, suspended for suggesting bet on first homicide of 2021, Dec. 8, 2020 By Minyvonne Burke - NBC News
The Hartford police chief said the text "represents an appalling lack of judgment" and "an extreme insensitivity toward our community."
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1250358
Hartford police chief who evaded responsibility in May accident suspends officer for 120 days for joking text message
Editorial Posted by: Pat Droney | December 7, 2020 - Law Enforcement Today
https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/hartford-chief-who-evaded-accident-suspends-detective-over-text-message/
Hartford police chief says use of force chosen by officer 'doesn't conform to policy', April 28, 2021 - Fox61 Staff
Hartford Police Sergeant James Guzie is accused of use of force against a woman who was being booked at the time.
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/crime/hartford-police-chief-jason-thody-discusses-the-recent-arre</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-92223282656878638562021-04-28T14:33:00.000-04:002021-04-28T14:33:02.859-04:00THE CITY OF HARTFORD PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2022<p>The link is below for anyone interested in looking at the City of Hartford Budget for 2022<a href=" https://www.hartfordct.gov/files/assets/public/mgmt-budget/mgmt-budget-documents/new-folder/21_4_19-at-0912-fy2022-recommended-budget-book-final-web.pdf"> https://www.hartfordct.gov/files/assets/public/mgmt-budget/mgmt-budget-documents/new-folder/21_4_19-at-0912-fy2022-recommended-budget-book-final-web.pdf</a></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-84224761137924475852021-04-28T12:01:00.000-04:002021-04-28T12:01:03.347-04:00IT IS TIME FOR DENTURES FOR THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BILL<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbhHXbnL0KVCvq_XZlqicom6n3CvIMhvF0O1FqccEZdERV4RAIvXf66kP7QTc-Cc9xz0CxiYCkStz4UnzmvwfarsgahGr5MU1jfPRAEjpBogx-394EmiT2aR1Fm6hr5NjbpZsnxOkM_A/s265/DENTURES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbhHXbnL0KVCvq_XZlqicom6n3CvIMhvF0O1FqccEZdERV4RAIvXf66kP7QTc-Cc9xz0CxiYCkStz4UnzmvwfarsgahGr5MU1jfPRAEjpBogx-394EmiT2aR1Fm6hr5NjbpZsnxOkM_A/s0/DENTURES.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Police Accountability bill passed in 2020 was supposed to build the public's trust in Law Enforcement and bring much needed transparency to a difficult profession. The Connecticut Legislature in their rush to look politically correct passed the bill.<p></p><p>Unfortunately, with recent everts in the Hartford Police Department after a Police Sergeant assaulted a female prisoner, I had to attempt to navigate the law to try to obtain body cam footage of the event. The law is pretty specific, the video was required to be released within 96 hours after request by a member of the public. Despite my written request to Detective Denise Mendoza , who handles requests at HPD, to release the video, it was ignored.</p><p>It was obvious that Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody and his minions had no problem in breaking the law in their efforts to keep their dirty laundry from public view. As the clock continued to tick ,the 96 hour requirement came and went by days. I eventually called a State Senator and asked him to get involved as well as e-mails to various State Officials and Media people and community partners.</p><p>One State official I spoke with understood my frustration and reluctantly advised me the Police Accountability Bill "has no teeth". So what good is it if Police Chiefs or others feel they can break the law without any repercussions or any mechanism for enforcement..</p><p>I received all types of guesses from everyone I called asking where to turn to get enforcement for someone breaking the Police Accountability Law. Besides being told the bill had no teeth, no one could answer me. Maybe the Attorney General, maybe the Chief States Attorney, maybe the Freedom of Information Commission, maybe I had to hire my own attorney and bring a legal action through the courts.</p><p>Should a private citizen have to hire an attorney to get Chief Thody to obey the law?</p><p>And despite the spin Thody and Mayor Bronin put on this matter that they did the "right thing" and the system worked, it did not. </p><p>I had originally asked for ALL video of the event, not what they wanted to release to make themselves look good or lessen the impact. (I am not sure that there is anyway to make yourself look good when one of your Officer's punches a female prisoner in the head on video, no matter how you edit it) The arrest warrant affidavit states there were at least four body cams that captured video as well as permanently mounted security cameras recording.</p><p>The system might have worked If Thody had honored the letter of the law and released the video in the time frame required. The system might have worked if Thody released ALL of the video as requested.</p><p>But corruption only breeds more corruption when it is allowed to happen. If the Legislature and the Law Enforcement profession are serious about cleaning up their act, changes need to be made. Police Chief's and people like Jason Thody need to be sent a real message that business as usual is no longer acceptable and it is time to clean up their acts.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-52507709032454383232021-04-26T21:43:00.000-04:002021-04-26T21:43:01.253-04:00HPD BODY CAM VIDEO OF PRISONER ASSAULT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRXUz8Aa_pk-3LF26xUraRm6b3RUYoufF3K-deHWjK-OwVkDywnIRX7bUAVZpTC73lryKHQryuHhYmnFxQ1CG7v338aBUAawzD9u4xDhSn3WekPzZzS8d7nklEkOqoEVA8r92Ar1zQcA/s900/cicero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRXUz8Aa_pk-3LF26xUraRm6b3RUYoufF3K-deHWjK-OwVkDywnIRX7bUAVZpTC73lryKHQryuHhYmnFxQ1CG7v338aBUAawzD9u4xDhSn3WekPzZzS8d7nklEkOqoEVA8r92Ar1zQcA/s320/cicero.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LT. Paul Cicero, Booking Commander at the time of the Assault</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7XXnTCjoElLLVoPI8OWj_w5xtlxZ7hPGfHyMy-SuOMSHA1jDbOoCzWCHnheIxj0Fh_CNCQDx1JBfsI5ydGy0EqniA757dL8Mj9DErjPrwc8_Rz4sI_0FWX0PmFrEsll0i_Xa3EQn_U/s180/thody+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc7XXnTCjoElLLVoPI8OWj_w5xtlxZ7hPGfHyMy-SuOMSHA1jDbOoCzWCHnheIxj0Fh_CNCQDx1JBfsI5ydGy0EqniA757dL8Mj9DErjPrwc8_Rz4sI_0FWX0PmFrEsll0i_Xa3EQn_U/s0/thody+headshot.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A partial, highly edited video of HPD Sergeant James Guzie assaulting a female prisoner. The video contains foul language and the edited version ends right at the time Sergeant Guzie punches the female prisoner. According to the arrest warrant, he then draggted her into a cell by her hair after punching her. Many more questions to be answered on this, such as why the delay in any action by Chief Thody and where is the rest of the video as well as the Internal Security camera video <br /><br /><p></p><p>CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l7DolMDlK8">HPD SERGEANT GUZIE ASSAULTING FEMALE PRISONER</a> </p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-50990752196733029772021-04-26T15:35:00.001-04:002021-04-26T20:09:43.796-04:00HPD CHIEF THODY CONTINUES TO SHOW HE THINKS HE IS ABOVE THE LAW<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD_eXRdWLnqxesAZkL6h8TawOfP2yyBFWEPLHGqxcAY-8G9bSiV41atFxwAhVVrZpXrpooUQFo3fCK7hHOjPEwQAoWXOvw7o2BTdCKqJZvFEeUXfaIomIRe9vF1Bc_D53P4QldwjzE1o/s180/thody+headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="115" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD_eXRdWLnqxesAZkL6h8TawOfP2yyBFWEPLHGqxcAY-8G9bSiV41atFxwAhVVrZpXrpooUQFo3fCK7hHOjPEwQAoWXOvw7o2BTdCKqJZvFEeUXfaIomIRe9vF1Bc_D53P4QldwjzE1o/w113-h180/thody+headshot.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><br />Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody continues to show that he thinks he is above the law. He showed it last summer when he evaded a potentially alcohol related accident in his Police vehicle. Thody drove off after hitting a guardrail causing several thousand dollars in damage to the vehicle.<p></p><p>Now, Thody is skirting the law again, apparently to avoid having to explain for one of his corrupt officers. On March 15, 2021, it was alleged that HPD Police Sergeant James Guzie had assaulted a female prisoner while she was in custody at the HPD Booking facility. Guzie was the supervisor on duty at the time and the booking facility was supervised by LT. Paul Cicero. Cicero had previously been the Major Crimes supervisor and was reassigned to booking after the "Deadpool" betting scandal had been revealed. As a sidenote, Cicero has now been reassigned to Patrol as the daytime Lieutenant.</p><p>Sergeant Guzie was arrested today on a charge of Assault 3rd.</p><p>Back to above the law Thody. One aspect of the Police Accountability bill passed last year was a section regulating Police Bodycam use. One section stated that "<i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">{Police accountability bill, Public Act 20-1 ( page 33) "not later than ninety-six hours following the recorded incident, whichever House Bill No. 6004 July Sp. Sess., Public Act No. 20-1 33 of 72 is earlier, <b>such recording shall be disclosed, upon request, to the public, </b>subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section"}.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Essentially, it states that body cam and other video footage of a Police misconduct assault MUST be released within 96 hours after requested by a member of the public. I requested the video in writing to HPD by e-mail dated April15, 2021 at 3:41 PM. As of today the video has not been released , even though Connecticut State Law requires its release and it is well over the 96 hour limit.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shouldn't a Police Chief uphold the law rather than be above it? Is this Thody's version of transparency?</span></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-37085404181060255232021-04-21T17:25:00.000-04:002021-04-21T17:25:21.039-04:00WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN THE POLICE BREAK THE LAW?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuk4dquXd8C6Y91912uK4xA08GvhI_36On2kRCZ9biTz_xAAn3ya2v-YUVUi5UGZNzrZISK4CKUkGIMssF4ZV5rJpTXa27hfS1ZR7uwmSDdLGOZqVl5g9Nfb3rS3fRaUH4E_qor_Ky6M/s1920/crime+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuk4dquXd8C6Y91912uK4xA08GvhI_36On2kRCZ9biTz_xAAn3ya2v-YUVUi5UGZNzrZISK4CKUkGIMssF4ZV5rJpTXa27hfS1ZR7uwmSDdLGOZqVl5g9Nfb3rS3fRaUH4E_qor_Ky6M/s320/crime+scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> One section of the 2020 Police Accountability Bill relates directly to the release of body cam video, especially as it relates to police misconduct and police assaults.<span> </span><p></p><p>The section seems pretty clear, as follows: <i style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>{Police accountability bill, Public Act 20-1 ( page 33) "not later than ninety-six hours following the recorded incident, whichever is earlier, such recording shall be disclosed, upon request, to the public, subject to the provisions of </b></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>subsection (g) of this section".</b></span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Body camera footage as well as internal</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> surveillance video apparently exists of an alleged assault by Hartford Police Sergeant James Guzie against a female prisoner in the HPD booking facility in the beginning of March.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This incident was acknowledged by HPD Chief Thody and Guzie was suspended from duty .</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have requested the video, but as of this time HPD has not complied with my request in accordance with Connecticut State law.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This the hypocrisy of HPD Chief Jason Thody and Mayor Luke Bronin as they claim publicly that they want to change the culture of HPD but they do the opposite and cover for problem officers.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Covering for bad cops does not bring about change, it only empowers bad cops to continue unchecked </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">without any fear of being held accountable.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Has Hartford not learned anything from the Chauvin trial?</span></p><p><br /></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-17367397580458661832021-04-21T12:45:00.000-04:002021-04-21T12:45:02.179-04:00IT'S TIME TO SHOW YOUR IRISH PRIDE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU8wh7adcNZ0UVIVm5htFxSVKTGULUE8A-lNQY-fPTAlW3EcPJEO_WO5qorIZIy5zalCKqKf9SBUbx89nlu0nhc0_M6s0jnOSIsaRz2YPcMkV_q_FhKX7UKs2MYGpLXSE_6sl1npCRf4/s198/irish+home+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU8wh7adcNZ0UVIVm5htFxSVKTGULUE8A-lNQY-fPTAlW3EcPJEO_WO5qorIZIy5zalCKqKf9SBUbx89nlu0nhc0_M6s0jnOSIsaRz2YPcMkV_q_FhKX7UKs2MYGpLXSE_6sl1npCRf4/s0/irish+home+logo.jpg" /></a></div><br /> As the saying goes, everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's Day. Now is your chance to be a part of the Irish heritage and pride all year long..<p></p><p>The Irish Home in Glastonbury is facing tough times and the building itself is in need of repairs. As with many businesses and organizations, the Covid 19 pandemic has caused some difficult times. The home was established in 1945.</p><p>The Irish home has survived over the years with memberships and revenue derived from renting the hall for events such as parties and weddings. Since the bottom fell out of the market over a year ago, the Irish Home has been dealing with a shortage of revenues .</p><p>Hopefully that revenue stream will start to rebound once things start getting back to normal, but there is no guarantee of when that will happen.</p><p>If you can, please try to make a donation to the "Go Fund me" page to help save the Irish Home and help Irish events such as the Annual Saint Patrick's Day events survive. Click here to donate please, .<a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/irishamericanhome">https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/irishamericanhome</a></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-42838929322998337692021-04-14T16:25:00.001-04:002021-04-15T15:38:49.687-04:00LUKE, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.. HPD'S VERSION OF THE CRUMBLING FOUNDATION PROBLEM<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK07kh7i2iHmeSMcC9b_jdMGlbBCYoS6tOlvjXJiTcMhMahb6woa0e7a5onVoVRdFHxhnFVuN8m3LAEtXK6fFT9JmLDiFN_3qTDSHLeIjSN8UuYp5m6uBYmecvFUe27frE2wJEeWROP48/s2048/IMG_0086.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK07kh7i2iHmeSMcC9b_jdMGlbBCYoS6tOlvjXJiTcMhMahb6woa0e7a5onVoVRdFHxhnFVuN8m3LAEtXK6fFT9JmLDiFN_3qTDSHLeIjSN8UuYp5m6uBYmecvFUe27frE2wJEeWROP48/s320/IMG_0086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> PAGE 1 OF HPD'S ATTRITION/ EXIT INTERVIEW DOCUMENT<p></p><p>The good men and women doing great work everyday are the actual foundation of the Hartford Police Department. It is not the Chief or Assistant Chiefs or Command Staff . That foundation is crumbling under Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody and his administration. Since Thody took over in April of 2019 , nearly 50 officers have quit, many of them minority and female officers..</p><p>It took the Hartford Police Department over a month to comply, but they eventually released a document I had requested detailing the data under the Freedom of Information Act </p><p>I had asked for the exit interview information on Hartford Police Officers that have resigned from the Hartford Police Department. I was hoping to see how many officers have left under the tenure of Jason Thody as Chief. The numbers even surprised me.</p><p>I knew it was bad, but I didn't think it was quite as bad as the numbers show. It is also very troubling to me the number of African Americans, Hispanics and women that have bailed. Much work had been put into minority recruitment by Thody's two predecessors, James Rovella and David Rosado. Thody has single handedly reversed that entire process faster than a Tahoe evading a guardrail crash.</p><p>Hartford needs to have a Police Department that reflects the demographics of the City they serve and at this point Hartford is the employment recruiter for every other Department that understands diversity and gladly welcomes disgruntled Hartford Officers looking for better grounds.</p><p>The loss of trained officers is an issue. The loss of losing qualified minority officers after the hiring and training process is a much bigger issue for HPD as well as the taxpayers that have made the investment in these officers. It is e4stimated that it may be upwards of $200,000 per officer to recruit, hire and train a Police Officer for their first year on the job, including salary and benefits</p><p>The details of why officers are leaving are also spelled out on the report. The majority seem to be over wages and benefits, but there also are some troubling comments that point to a deeper problem. Comments such as one officer claiming they were "setting him up for failure". Another officer claimed "I was encouraged by senior officers, Sergeants ,Lieutenants and Captains to leave from day one .I was told that things would not get better here and to leave as soon as possible". That must be encouraging to a new employee.</p><p>Another employee was quoted as saying they "didn't feel valued" another "didn't learn anything during FTO (Field Training Officer period) another officer "not feeling any support and select sergeants made work toxic instead of helping him", another "poor equipment, low morale" and the list goes on and on.</p><p>Now I know not everyone is always going to be happy, but these numbers seem to be extreme losses for a struggling Department tasked with patrolling a very violent City. The bleeding needs to stop , both literally and figuratively if Hartford is going to survive. VIEW THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT HERE https://www.scribd.com/document/503071155/Responsive-Records-3<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/503071155/Responsive-Records-3">https://www.scribd.com/document/503071155/Responsive-Records-3</a></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-12690279561824340632021-04-13T20:41:00.006-04:002021-04-13T20:41:57.087-04:00WHERE IS THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE JASON?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCYA1rxwvMDFD7oZjUu1XKRixhMVwkyruLIMxu7haJBaMXNhVnoLttJCP3bTV2aE5V7dvP6VR8T7eMqsdnAUzCCfKPdD6duCx4RVMDonpOYlbrVjr_YR5msn0rPbnOXYfOPPbekn4ohM/s768/JASON+THODY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCYA1rxwvMDFD7oZjUu1XKRixhMVwkyruLIMxu7haJBaMXNhVnoLttJCP3bTV2aE5V7dvP6VR8T7eMqsdnAUzCCfKPdD6duCx4RVMDonpOYlbrVjr_YR5msn0rPbnOXYfOPPbekn4ohM/s320/JASON+THODY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b>JASON THODY WORKING THE CROWD</b><p></p><p><b><br /></b>Sunday there was an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota that resulted in the shooting death of a young man.</p><p> The Police Chief in that matter released the bodycam footage of the incident within hours.</p><p>Isn't that refreshing, a Police Chief who understands the need for transparency to maintain the public trust, if that's possible in these situations.</p><p>Now fast forward to Hartford and Chief Jason Thody. A female prisoner in the HPD booking facility was allegedly punched in the head by a Hartford Police Sergeant assigned to the booking facility.</p><p>That incident reportedly occurred on March 15, 2021, almost a month ago, and was fully documented on both bodycam footage and Internal Surveillance video. None of that footage has been released and remains in the secretive "Good Old Boy" bunker that we call HPD. There is no need to hide the video from public scrutiny.</p><p>Even more suspicious is the fact that Thody never notified the Hartford County States Attorney of the incident until Good Friday, the same day that I broke the story and posted about it. It appears Thody only made his notifications after I made it public and posted it here. <a href="http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2021/04/hpd-sergeant-suspended-for-on-duty.html" target="_blank">Read that post here</a></p><p>That is not transparency, that appears to be a cover-up attempt; The facts will not change if the video is released and there is no reason to keep it secret, other than to allow more time to doctor and cover-up the incident. </p><p>At these critical times for Police/Community relations, Thody needs to make very effort to gain the publics support and shed light on the bad apples in his Department. Release the video now, that is what the bodycams are for and what the public needs if they are to trust the actions of their Police Department.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-68337699947367637392021-04-12T14:11:00.001-04:002021-04-12T14:11:25.072-04:00MORE LIP SERVICE FROM WASHINGTON<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAqee3Tybnmn5ZALNwPU7XHSoWLdyyOasvE0Lg2DRX9j8Abub9Z-1cVpHzY5gnpRbtx8YrJ0nITmM6XY6od26B_F9HBusbDZ-4oq5Ww0Y1LN_iWuJzuSTWBeg5OQ4ZXnOVAlz5A96ZK0/s278/assault+rifle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAqee3Tybnmn5ZALNwPU7XHSoWLdyyOasvE0Lg2DRX9j8Abub9Z-1cVpHzY5gnpRbtx8YrJ0nITmM6XY6od26B_F9HBusbDZ-4oq5Ww0Y1LN_iWuJzuSTWBeg5OQ4ZXnOVAlz5A96ZK0/s0/assault+rifle.jpg" /></a></div><br />Why is it that every time there is gun violence or a tragedy, the Washington talking heads run to the microphones to spout their nonsense. After a senseless murder of a three year old in Hartford this weekend, US Senator Chris Murphy wasted no time in rattling off tired his lines about background checks ,from the same old script that hasn't changed at least since Newtown.<p></p><p>The only real thing that has changed is that nothing has changed.</p><p>I understand the debate over guns. Even though I support the second Amendment, I will be the first to admit there are way too many guns out in our society. Not guns owned by legitimate gun owners but by people that have no business having their hands anywhere near a gun, People with mental illness and more importantly criminals that are forbidden from owning or possessing a firearm.</p><p>Every time you see an arrest and the charge is "criminal possession of a firearm", that means the person is most likely a convicted felon with a gun. A convicted felon who is forbidden by law from possessing a gun. A convicted felon who has no fear of the consequences of their crime because usually there are no consequences.</p><p>For my own education please, can anyone tell me how Senator Murphy's background checks will prevent that Is a convicted felon going to proceed to their local police station or gunstore to be fingerprinted to legally go through their background check before they pick up a firearm? Are the street sellers going to require proof of a background check before selling a gun on the street?</p><p>How many shooters go through the cumbersome process to get a firearms permit before carrying a gun to shoot their next victim?</p><p>If we are serious about gun reform and ridding our streets of many of these weapons, lets be serious about reform that works, not just the rhetoric to inflame people and get the self promoting sound bytes.</p><p>Sandy Hook was December 14, 2012, what has changed since then? We will probably still be having the same debate with the same results ten years from now.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-52401419898055218012021-04-12T13:31:00.001-04:002021-04-12T13:31:20.883-04:00IT IS TIME TO SHOW JASON THODY THE EXIT FROM H.P.D.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGhxo3oUPMW0143VB-Rtyb29C-ul11JWXOhnHSRFdMR7-qNEJJuZL9S1gwXkCbAl-bbjhR4vIMkilpZGQm3GzuHHebOnisZbwUKx_rHlRHNwhTM03zCLSpuPNdrCdzMteXDz8EJ8tE4o/s309/thody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGhxo3oUPMW0143VB-Rtyb29C-ul11JWXOhnHSRFdMR7-qNEJJuZL9S1gwXkCbAl-bbjhR4vIMkilpZGQm3GzuHHebOnisZbwUKx_rHlRHNwhTM03zCLSpuPNdrCdzMteXDz8EJ8tE4o/s0/thody.jpg" /></a></div><br />Some may say it is too soon for this posting, so let me apologize up front to start. I can not sit by in silence thinking about a 3 year old child being gunned down on the streets of Hartford.<p></p><p>I have tried to be a huge supporter and to recognize and support the great work the men and women of the Hartford Police Department do every day. I can not offer the same support to Hartford's Police Chief Jason Thody.</p><p>Thody has done more damage to the Hartford Police Department than I would have ever thought was possible in such a short period of time. Sadly, it is not just measured in the damage done internally to HPD but it has also carried through to damage to the people of Hartford. This weekends murder of a three year old child followed in quick succession of a 16 year old boy are both heartbreaking examples of Jason Thody's failure as a Chief . Those failures promise to continue throughout the summer if Thody remains as Chief.</p><p>The blame also needs to extend to Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin for his failure to appoint a properly qualified Police Chief and his refusal to adjust course after Thody's failures became clearly obvious. Thody's reportedly drunken accident in his City vehicle should have been enough to replace the Captain headed toward the iceberg. But no, Bronin has allowed Thody to continue full steam ahead in his doomed voyage. An eyewitness to Thody's crash reported to Connecticut State Police that he believed Thody was operating his police vehicle drunk shortly before he went off the road and hit a guardrail and evaded the scene.</p><p>You would think that incident would have been enough to get Bronin to bring a change to someone who could at least show some leadership and set a proper example for the rank and file of the Hartford Police Department. Nope.</p><p>The number of current lawsuits filed against Thody and his Command Staff both in Stae and Federal Courts should point to a problem. The number of Officers that have left HPD in the past year should point to a problem. The common denominator for HPD's problems is Jason Thody.</p><p>Thody is a policy "wonk" , not a Police Administrator. Can you really blame him for not being in touch with the Community he serves? He has never been in the community so he can't relate or build the relationships like other Chiefs have. Where previous Chief's have been comfortable walking some of Hartford's most troubled neighborhoods, Thody is more comfortable walking the deck of his boat to get to the lounge at the Marina, far away from Hartford.</p><p>The number of good officers being driven out and leaving for other jobs are in large part due to Thody's mismanagement. I had a veteran Police Officer call me last week and tell me they "hate" going to work every day now after what Jason Thody has done to HPD. This was not a chronic complainer, but someone who used to always tell me how much they loved HPD and loved their job.</p><p>Thody's arrogance has proved to be one of his biggest downfalls. His inability to play nice with others has been a huge detriment. For anyone that doubts that, ask how HPD works with ATF and their other Federal partners to combat guns in Hartford. The answer would probably be "ATF who?" . The relationship is virtually nonexistent now under Thody. </p><p>Why wouldn't HPD be tapping into every Federal Resource and State agency possible so another 3 year old is not gunned down?</p><p>Under previous Chief's results were driven by communication and coordination to produce results. Thody's "shotgun" approach , without communication and no coordination is producing very little results, other than high overtime spending. The daily shootings and this years murders are showing that. His constant shuffling of Commanders and rewarding those Commanders as payback without concern for expertise or even capabilities is showing. Where is all of the Intel that used to be gathered under previous Chiefs to track guns and shooters. Where is Project Longevity? A program that started under Chief Rovella and brought back huge results in controlling criminals and keeping them on the right path. Project Longevity is dead under Chief Thody. (And the death of Longevity was not due to funding, apparently Commissioner Rovella was able to provide State funding for Longevity to continue so where's the money?)</p><p>I have had the pleasure of working with several good Police Chiefs during my years in Hartford. I didn't always agree with them, but I learned and respected their decisions, and they usually respected mine.</p><p>With Thody, I often wonder if I could call FEMA because he is such a disaster. He needs to go before Hartford suffers more.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-85780524028588899792021-04-06T13:37:00.002-04:002021-04-06T13:41:46.517-04:00GOVERNOR LAMONT, IT IS TIME FOR SOME DEJA VU' IN HARTFORD<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfro2Fwus84UD5L2NgY4T1t_6hMqf7cV58Krop5cBVKCJyFaXhuoT1t9PBTHmsX-mvNH0eLjkRYY-OBNr5tBB3dKYUIsyRRJCFErwknoNoZFNKZ9ffCBD2rYdj7X0O04_ZEZknAkyz2HQ/s920/ROVELLA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfro2Fwus84UD5L2NgY4T1t_6hMqf7cV58Krop5cBVKCJyFaXhuoT1t9PBTHmsX-mvNH0eLjkRYY-OBNr5tBB3dKYUIsyRRJCFErwknoNoZFNKZ9ffCBD2rYdj7X0O04_ZEZknAkyz2HQ/s320/ROVELLA.jpg" /></a></div> <b> Commissioner Rovella</b><p></p><p>It might be a good time for a quick Hartford history lesson for Governor Lamont.</p><p>In 2010 and 2011 Connecticut's Capitol city was experiencing a wave of violent crime, especially gun crimes shootings and homicides. That image apparently was not acceptable to Connecticut's Governor at the time, Dannel Malloy.</p><p>In 2011 , Malloy called Connecticut's Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane into his office for a meeting. Malloy's instructions to Kane were simple and concise, "Do something about the crime in Hartford"..</p><p>Kane's solution was both simple as well as brilliant. Chief States Attorney Kane had the perfect solution already working in his office. That solution was the Chief Inspector for Kane's Office, James Rovella.. Rovella had previously retired from the Hartford Police Department as a detective. During his tenure with HPD Rovella had developed a reputation as an Investigator and especially for closing "cold" cases. He brought that knowledge over to the States Attorney's Office upon his hiring, and his reputation continued to grow.</p><p>After Governor Malloy gave Chief States Attorney Kane his marching orders, Rovella was tasked with getting it done. Rovella quickly formulated his plan. It wasn't rocket science but more common sense and a good understanding of how Hartford worked.</p><p>Rovella knew that egos and turf wars were a large problem in Police work. Rovella knew that there often was no coordinated efforts to get the best results , but more of a "shotgun" approach with everyone doing their own thing and very little communication. Rovella referred to these as "silos" and everyone wanted to stay confined in their own silos, usually producing limited results . At the time Hartford had more "silos" than a Kansas farm, and very limited results.</p><p>Rovella's plan would take some work to accomplish. The Law Enforcement community is very set in their ways and typically not open to change and sharing.</p><p>Under Rovella's creation, Hartford's Shooting Task Force was developed. Logistically , it was a huge undertaking, but it began to produce immediate results for Hartford's crime problem.</p><p>In a nutshell, Rovella's plan was to knock down all of those individual "silo's" and bring the agencies that had been filling those silos to the table to coordinate and work for the common good. Hartford Police, State Police, Corrections, Parole, Probation , Federal Agencies, and even several suburban municipalities joined forces and began communicating. There was even a Prosecutor assigned to the group to ensure cases that would lead to successful prosecutions..</p><p>The operation, known to most as "STF", also quickly developed a reputation with Hartford's criminal element . And the results were quickly realized as crime and shootings declined..</p><p>Shortly after STF was organized is when I first met Jim Rovella. It was Good Friday in 2011 and Rovella was giving me a tour of the STF headquarters in the old school they were using on Edwards Street and the STF operation. Rovella was like a proud father unveiling his newborn child as he guided me through the building. </p><p>I remember one hallway loaded with pictures of suspects and criminal offenders taped to the wall and how they were all connected. Rovella also made a great choice in the selection of his Lieutenant to keep the whole group in order and productive. That isn't easy when you have so many different personalities from so many different agencies needing to work together for a common goal. The common goal could be a matter of life or death for Hartford residents. Rovella chose HPD Lieutenant Lance Sigersmith, a veteran officer who was well respected and knew what he was doing and was overall a great cop respected by the men and women he worked with and supervised.</p><p>What impressed me the most was the coordination and communication that made STF productive. Instead of everyone working on their own, it was all being funneled together for one common goal with Rovella as the quarterback scoring every chance he had.</p><p>Sigersmith has since retired , but Rovella is now a Commissioner for Governor Lamont overseeing the Connecticut State Police. A simpel phone call by Lamont could get it done and get it started before a long , hot potentially violent summer kicks off under "business as usual" in Hartford.</p><p>What is going on now in Hartford is clearly not working. Most pof what Rovella had put in place during his tenure as Hartford's Police Chief has been disbanded, project Longevity is dead and all of those silos have been rebuilt under Chief Hartford's current Police Chief with little results. Shootings are out of control, last year was a terrible year for homicides and gun violence. It is time to dust off the Rovella playbook and look at what worked in 2011. Rovella got it done then and I am pretty sure he can do it for Hartford now.</p><p>It is time to put the egos aside and once again knock down the silos to benefit and protect the people of Hartford and the region from an increasingly violent criminal element. Rovella is the man that can coordinate that effort and produce results, I am not sure anyone else in Hartford at the present time can do the same It needs to be a coordinated effort to produce maximum results without wasted ego-time. Rovella did it before, he can do it again for the City I know he loves.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-29662411666143830952021-04-02T12:08:00.003-04:002021-04-02T12:09:15.569-04:00HPD SERGEANT SUSPENDED FOR ON DUTY ASSAULT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuKCZapOQIop19VxXR3u1l1iFCYBbm27tCmhL4rnPbDddMqK_j7UTLkjezI7mlf6yqtO6wumuX8Jsff-vpBd_FvCgVcTsCNZmk3FRXe-fogpxNrQSZb_GqPD6wpKLKQyNw27X6DTf-mY/s1920/crime+scene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuKCZapOQIop19VxXR3u1l1iFCYBbm27tCmhL4rnPbDddMqK_j7UTLkjezI7mlf6yqtO6wumuX8Jsff-vpBd_FvCgVcTsCNZmk3FRXe-fogpxNrQSZb_GqPD6wpKLKQyNw27X6DTf-mY/s320/crime+scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Numerous sources are confirming for me that a Hartford Police Sergeant has been suspended after an on duty incident. The sources are telling me that the Sergeant was seen on video punching a black female prisoner in the face in the HPD Booking facility (lock-up).<p></p><p>Apparently at least three officers were in the area also and did seem to intervene on the black female prisoners behalf. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video from what I am told.</p><p>The Sergeant in question came to Hartford after apparently resigning from a previous position with the Baltimore Maryland Police Department.</p><p>No comment from Chief Thody as of this point.</p><p>There is an interesting twist to this. The same Lieutenant who was the commander of the Major Crimes Division at the time of the "Deadpool" scandal when he was removed from that position is now the Commander of the Booking Division. It is unclear if Lieutenant Paul Cicero used his take home Tahoe to respond back to the City after the incident. I am told he DID NOT.</p><p></p><p>Under the new Police Accountability law enacted recently, Police Officers are mandated to intervene and report such incidents.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-13623772788360238882021-03-21T19:39:00.000-04:002021-03-21T19:39:02.713-04:00MAYOR LUKE BRONIN'S FAILED EXPERIMENT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QPv23TcDqblOCaba7obtW8OoiGEkUDZTtWzpAH95VvC49EYB3SpB3i3f2qRO37a4SqnpaGqJx__hAmchyphenhyphen_vATwtbZ2xB4l1X3wOU-xs6APqjL6B0ykkrHlOOlqFDe18G7QNvaVUn798/s1200/THODY+AND+HIS+BOSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QPv23TcDqblOCaba7obtW8OoiGEkUDZTtWzpAH95VvC49EYB3SpB3i3f2qRO37a4SqnpaGqJx__hAmchyphenhyphen_vATwtbZ2xB4l1X3wOU-xs6APqjL6B0ykkrHlOOlqFDe18G7QNvaVUn798/s320/THODY+AND+HIS+BOSS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b> HARTFORD POLICE CHIEF JASON THODY AND HIS BOSS</b><p></p><p><b><br /></b>You won't read this too often here, but Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin should be commended for appointing a Police Chief from within the ranks of the Hartford Police Department. Unfortunately, Bronin's experiment to appoint Jason Thody as Hartford's Police Chief a little over a year ago has been a colossal failure.</p><p>Bronin was pushed into appointing a Chief after his previous Chief , retired State Police Lieutenant Colonel David Rosado experienced the culture shock known as the Hartford Police Department. Rosado abruptly resigned after his short tenure as Chief.</p><p> Rosado's hand picked Assistant Chief, Raphael Medina, was not chosen for the permanent Chief Position. </p><p>For whatever reason, Bronin chose to appoint what many both within HPD and the Hartford community saw as very flawed choice. Bronin chose Jason Thody as his Police Chief.</p><p>Thody had a very checkered past during his previous tenure as a HPD officer, including but not limited to off duty bar fights and abusive behavior toward his fellow officers. Those incidents were well documented and Thody was actually demoted as punishment. </p><p>It didn't get much better after Thody became Chief and his off duty, unreported evading accident over the summer came to light after being discovered by this blog writer. The ensuing alleged coverup and the witness's alleged DUI claim and lack of discipline didn't do too much to set an example of leadership for the men and women of HPD.</p><p>Hartford Police Department morale appears to be at an all time low. The Department which was once the Pride of Law Enforcement in Connecticut appears to be in free fall under Thody's leadership, or should I say lack of leadership.</p><p>Department recruitment which was making progress previously under Chief's Rovella and Rosado now appears to have made a complete about face as trained officers, including many hard sought after minority and female candidates are leaving in record numbers. Rovella's efforts have been eviscerated by Thody's incompetence. Estimates claim that upwards of 50 Officers have left in the last year, not due to retirements but more the desire to move on to other Departments and better management and working conditions.</p><p>It is also highly troublesome to see the number of pending lawsuits and CHRO complaints currently pending against Chief Thody and Assistant Chief Medina and others, claiming discrimination and underhanded tactics.. How much will these lawsuits cost the people of Hartford in the end? Does anyone at City Hall care? In any organization there will always be disgruntled employees but the HPD numbers seem to be extraordinary, </p><p>The sad part is that neither Bronin or the Hartford City Council seem to be asking "WHY"? They probably don't want to know the answers.</p><p>But all they have to do is talk to the rank and file Officers and they would probably get some answers.</p><p>The answers have recently been documented in an Internal Report authored by a HPD Sergeant, Gio Discenzo.. Sgt. Discenzo was tasked by Captain Michael Coates with setting up a focus group to find out what morale was like in the Department and document the results. The report is eye opening for anyone wishing to read it</p><p>Although I have requested the report through a Freedom of Information request, Thody and his Department have refused to release it. After reading the report, I think you will figure out why Thody and his Command Staff do not want this report to see the light of day. Luckily , I was able to obtain the report through "alternative means". I am not posting the document as I received it in order to protect my source, instead, I am cutting and pasteing the body of the narrative. </p><p>I have been asked by my source to redact the specific names of the Officers in the focus group, and I agreed to do that.</p><p></p><h2 style="tab-stops: 1.0in 4.0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TO:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Captain Michael Coates <o:p></o:p></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Commander,
Patrol Division<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" style="tab-stops: 1.0in;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">FROM:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sergeant Giovanni DiCenso<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>North Patrol Supervisor</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">DATE:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">March
1, 2021</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">SUBJECT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patrol Morale Focus Group</span> </h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">I
have been tasked by Captain Coates to form a Patrol Morale Focus Group. The
mission of this focus group is to determine areas within the patrol division
that create low morale and ways to improve it. For this focus group I selected
a diverse group of officers. These officers range from newer to senior officers,
and I selected two from each shift. I wanted to get feedback from officers in
different stages of their careers and possible issues on different shifts. These
officers reached out to fellow officers to inquire as to why moral was low and
ways to improve it. Officer Theodore Sposito was included in this focus group
representing the Hartford Police Union. I contacted Officer Theresa Velez,
Hartford Police EAP Coordinator, to get her feedback from complaints that she
has received regarding low morale issues. Information I received from Officer
Velez has been incorporated into this report. I also contacted Lieutenant
Marisol Rodriguez-Velez, Commander of Career Development Division, for her
feedback in recruiting and working with these newer officers, which was also
incorporated into this report. Officers in this focus group are:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A
Squad: *********************,***************</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">B
Squad: **************************,*****************</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">C
Squad</b>: *******************, **********************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Union: ************************</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b> ***NAMES OF INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS REDACTED AT MY SOURCES REQUEST(KB)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Employee morale is related to the
satisfaction, outlook, and feelings of well-being an employee has while at
work. Employee morale has a direct effect on workplace productivity and can be
experienced on an individual level or as a group. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pay, Pension, Healthcare Insurance<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pay</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: Officers salaries were a major concern for low moral. Officers feel
they are not paid fairly compared to surrounding towns. Officers in Hartford stated
they respond to a greater amount of calls for service, increased liability, and
have a greater risk of being involved in a physical altercation, possibly being
seriously injured, than surrounding towns. The officers stated they <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">do
more work, take greater risk, and are paid well below what other towns offer. A
patrol officer in Hartford receives $ 71,500 at top pay. Below are listed the
salaries of surrounding towns for a patrol officer. These salaries are listed
on online recruitment pages posted on Police 1 and Police App. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Berlin Police Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 85,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rocky Hill Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 95,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Wethersfield Police Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 89,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Manchester Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 83,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">West Hartford Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$91,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">East Hartford Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 81,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Simsbury Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 95,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Newington Police
Department<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 93,000<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hartford
Police Department has recently seen many newer officers leave the police
department for employment with other towns at an alarming rate. Officers in
this focus group stated there are currently large amounts of officers applying,
or in the process, with surrounding towns. I spoke to Lieutenant
Rodriguez-Velez, Commander of Career Development Division. She stated since
2020, twenty-three (23) officers have left the department. She stated she spoke
to these officers and the main reason was because of low pay in Hartford. These
officers stated just by leaving and working for another town they received up
to a $ 20,000 pay raise. Many of these officers were female minorities.
Lieutenant Rodriguez-Velez stated the recruitment team puts in tireless effort
into recruiting people to apply for the Hartford Police Department. She stated
the recruitment team works with these recruits to help the applicants in
passing all the steps necessary to move on to the police academy. Nationwide
there is a shortage of applicants applying to be a police officer and it is
very difficult to get possible candidates to apply in Hartford when competing
against surrounding towns. She stated it is frustrating to see these newer
officers graduate the police academy, pass the Field Training program, and then
see them leave our police department shortly after. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Recently
even veteran officers have been leaving the Hartford Police Department. The
focus group stated this is due to the low pay. Another issue was not feeling appreciated
by the citizens of Hartford, the Command Staff and City Hall. Veteran officers
stated they do not feel supported and are concerned about the Civilian Review
Board, citizens who are not trained in police work (policy and procedure, state
laws, training, etc), but will be deciding if the officer acted appropriately.
They are also concerned about the Police Accountability Act and how that will
impact them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">To
improve morale the officer’s salaries will need to be comparable to surrounding
towns. If not, officers will continue to leave the police department for
surrounding towns at a high rate. This will result in more officers being
ordered in. This focus group could not understand why exit interviews are not being
done with officers that are leaving. They felt if this were done the city would
have a better understanding of why officers are leaving for surrounding towns. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pension</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: Officers stated another reason morale is low is because
of the pension plan for newer officers. The newer officers complained of the
current pension plan and how it is calculated for their retirement. They also
stated when they can begin to receive their pension is another major factor in low
morale and newer officers leaving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
department’s goal, and any police department for that matter, is to attract and
hire much younger individuals for service purposes. However, this means a
younger officer would work for 25 years and must wait years before they could
collect their pension compensation. Their salary would not allow them to buy
back years to begin collecting at 51 years old. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
focus group determined to improve morale the newer officers need to be put in
the same pension plan as the veteran officers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Healthcare Insurance</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">: Insurance is very costly for all officers in the
police department. Officers in the PPO Plan have seen their rates tripled in
the past few years. Officers received a raise last year but lost money because
the rate of insurance in that plan went up higher than the raise received. In January
2017, an officer paid $55.85 for the family plan a week. Currently, that same
plan costs $ 156.25 a week. Officers in the HSA Plan state the rate an employee
needs to contribute is very expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
focus group asked why the city does not get rates from insurance companies for
all city employees as one large group. This may lower everyone’s rate since
there are a larger number of employees in one group than having the different
unions negotiate their own rates with smaller numbers of employees. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A
common line used by officers who have left Hartford is “After all the risk,
there’s no reward to stay in Hartford.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Vehicles<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hartford Police Department has a major
issue with vehicles in the patrol division. These officers stated finding a spare
vehicle when the main unit number vehicle is deadlined is very frustrating and
time consuming. The spare vehicles have high mileage, some over 100,000 miles,
and are in poor condition; seats are torn and uncomfortable, some of the
equipment does not work, and the interior is very dirty. The patrol division
has not seen an influx of newer vehicles in years. They feel bandages are being
placed on vehicles and returned to be used by the patrol officers, making them
feel unsafe. These officers stated they accept these vehicles because this is
all they have to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officers
expressed they are very concerned about vehicles because they spend the
majority of their workday in them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends we should contact surrounding towns and buy their used
vehicles. By doing this we will always have vehicles being added to the fleet
every year and it would also be cheaper than buying new vehicles. A safety
inspection would be done, and just minor changes need to be made to identify
them as Hartford police vehicles. Also, vehicles should be on a schedule to
have the interior detailed and equipment inspected. A suggestion was to have
officers on compensatory time cleaning police vehicles. Also, does the City of
Hartford have grant writers to help with this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Field Training Officers<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Field
Training Officers (FTO) has a great responsibility when they are assigned a Probationary
Police Officer (PPO). They are responsible for the PPO’s safety, training, and
laying the foundation that will affect the PPO for his entire career. The FTO
then recommends if the PPO should be advanced to the next phase in the PPO
program, and eventually on their own. Good candidates asked to be FTO’s usually
do not want the great responsibility when the extra pay is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$ 34.00 for the day. Over the years, many
officers have declined or dropped their FTO position because the common theme
is there is no satisfactory monetary reward. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends the FTO should be paid at a rate of 2.5 % higher for
doing this important job. As soon as an officer becomes an FTO he would receive
the raise. This will also help in getting good officers to become FTO’s. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Order-Ins<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
past year officers were getting ordered in at an alarming rate never seen before.
Part of this reason is because of the numerous officers that have left,
depleting the patrol staffing roster. The order-in goes by seniority so newer
officers, who do not have as much experience, are being held over, sometimes
numerous times during the week. This occurs either after their regular shift or
on a day off when they are ordered in. This focus group is very concerned with
this practice. They feel this newer officer will be tired and make poor
decisions because they are being over worked so often. The focus group was also
concerned that officers were being ordered in on their days off. They stated an
officer needs his days off to rest physically and mentally and enjoy time with
their family and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends that an officer can be held over one-time starting on Sunday
till Saturday, and then the order-ins would reset. The officer would only be
held over only after his regular shift. They stated if an officer is on his
days off, he should not be ordered in. They also stated that an officer ordered-in
should be paid at an overtime rate of top patrolman’s pay. This excludes events
that require police coverage in the interest of public safety; parades, road
races, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Recognition<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
stated they could not remember the last time an awards ceremony was held. They
stated several officers they know were involved in high-risk incidents where
their lives were at risk or saved someone else’s life. These officers have not
been acknowledged in any way. Currently, there is an awards committee in the
Hartford Police Department. Officers feel the awards committee has done a poor
job in recognizing great police work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends a new awards committee should be formed with people who
want to be involved. Officers want to be recognized for great work. Minor
awards could be given out at roll call in front of their peers with a
description of the incident. Police Merit Award and above should be conducted at
a ceremony so their family and peers can attend. An academy graduation would be
perfect for this since it will be great motivation for the new officers
graduating. Major awards should be given out every 6 months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rotate Senior Officers<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
Hartford has a high volume and high-risk of calls for service, senior officers
feel they get burnt out and at times need a break from patrol. Officers go on
10 to 20 calls a shift, dealing with people having their “worst day.” These senior
officers have been doing this for numerous years, sometimes seeing the worst in
people. The officer then documents the incident and moves on to the next call.
Officers are also upset that people on light duty have made a career out of it,
taking up positions that officers could rotate through. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends senior officers could be rotated for three months to
different divisions within the department. This will allow for officers to
recharge themselves and learn new positions and responsibility. The different
divisions are the courts, property room, private jobs, crime analysis unit,
etc. This would also help if the permanent officer went on vacation, injured,
etc; there would be an officer who could fill the vacancy. This also enhances
an officer’s growth and development within the department. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Supervisor Issues<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
feel that sergeants need to show a better interest in them. Officers want a
supervisor who understands them and wants to assist them in their career path.
They feel sergeants are not interested in developing officers to the next level
and guiding them to get there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends better training for sergeants. Sergeants should be given
leadership and management training for improvement. Sergeants should be meeting
with their officers on a weekly basis to see how they are doing and if there
are any issues. They should take this time to ask the officer what other
interests they have in the department and ways they could work together to
accomplish this. The sergeant should recommend training classes for the officer
and work on any deficiencies the officer may have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
a retention/career development position could be created. This individual would
be excited and enthusiastic about what the Hartford Police Department has to
offer. In this position the individual would meet with newer officers to get
feedback on how they are progressing and help in retaining them. They would
also assist officers with their career goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Police Accountability Act, Civilian
Review Board<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
are highly concerned with the new Police Accountability Act and the Civilian
Review Board that has been in place and empowered. There are several unknowns
involved with each group, and officers are worried they will lose their career
and personal belongings. Officers feel these items are impacting how they do
their job and the split-second decisions they need to make. They are greatly
concerned that a civilian review board that has no police training will review
the officer’s actions, which need to make split second decisions, and will be
judged after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
focus group recommends officers should be given better training in regard to
these groups. A training day that explains how these groups will affect police
work and ways officers can protect themselves. This should include if an
officer is called in front of the Civilian Review Board, what are his rights
and what should he expect during the process. Officers should not feel foreign
to the civilian review board and not having the expectation as if it is a
pre-trial. This only further escalates the stress level already on officers. A
familiarity with the process helps to eradicate this kind of stereotype and
gives officers a sense of relief to perform their duties better. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Vacation Time, Snow Days<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
of this focus group feel since we need to complete twenty-five years of
service, an extra week of vacation time should be given at the twenty-year
mark. Also, when the city is closed due to poor weather and the mayor declares
non-essential employees are not to report to work this is unfair for the
officers who are still required to respond. These officers risk their lives
getting to work and then performing their duties in poor weather. The focus
group recommends when this occurs officers who are required to report to work
would receive eight hours of vacation time in their bank, just like when the
mayor gave the Friday after Thanksgiving off. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Support from Command Staff, City Hall<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
feel there is a “disconnect” between the Command Staff and the Patrol
Division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officers have the perception
that the Command Staff does not understand what is going on in the Patrol
Division, nor do they care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officers
feel they are “just a number” and the Command Staff is more focused on other
interests and that they may be adversely impacted from political issues in the
community even when they are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Officers
believe that the Command staff is putting them in situations where their
liability for discipline is high and that the discipline system at the department
has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officers feel that in the
Patrol Division they are sent to deal with active, tense calls, many times with
people who are hostile or in crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During these calls officers do their best to manage the situations with
little resources and training given to them. The officers stressed that they do
not mind doing their jobs, but they feel that Command Staff does not have their
“back” or best interests in mind. The perception of the officers is that the
Command Staff will issue formal discipline for minor policy violations, which
in the past were just handled with informal talking/coaching from a supervisor.
Patrol officers also feel that they are given a high level of scrutiny that
other divisions in the department are not given, because the other divisions
have less contact with the public, deal with “code 1” issues, and do not have
the same chances of getting a formal citizen’s complaint.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
officers discussed that the tone the Command Staff takes with public statements
makes them feel that they are automatically wrong. The officers also mentioned
they believed that the Command Staff was bragging at the public forums and with
other City of Hartford officials that they disciplined more officers than in
the past. Officers felt this action has caused them and their peers to feel the
Command Staff were looking for minor violations to discipline them, to keep up
statistics. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
focus group further discussed the issue of the Patrol Division being treated as
a step below other divisions. Officers said they felt this way because officers
often get removed from other positions and placed into patrol. Officers in
specialized units are also threatened by Command Staff and supervisors that
they will be sent back to patrol for disciplinary or performance issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officers recognized and were in many cases
proud of coming into work during emergency situations, inclement weather,
special events, protests, and holidays. The officers viewed this as being part
of their job but thought other divisions and Command Staff did not share in
this sacrifice. The officers discussed this idea of patrol being a step below
other divisions made them feel like their contributions, commitments, and
sacrifices to the department are going unnoticed and are not appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
focus group recommended opening better lines of communication and discussion
between the Command Staff and the Patrol Division. The group feels that this
may help to change the perception of the officers. Officers feel this could be
done by Command Staff members coming to roll calls and putting out timely and
accurate information. The officers also felt that the Command Staff could
change the way they issue public statements about officers, internal investigations,
and discipline. The focus group also recommended that for minor policy
violations are handled informally by talking or coaching by Sergeants and not
formal discipline. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group further
recommended that Command Staff not threaten people with being put back into patrol.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
focus group brought up the issue of support from City Officials at City Hall. The
group believed that elected and appointed executive level positions at the City
did not support them and in many cases were against them. The focus group
brought up many instances where City Officials spoke negatively about the
police department and its members. The focus group also discussed some City
Council members having a strong negative opinion of police. The focus group did
not have any suggestions on these issues and recognized that the Mayor and
Council are elected positions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Public Safety Complex and Substations<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
officers were very concerned about the cleanliness of the PSC and substations. Officers
felt that the buildings were dirty and not kept clean. Officers also brought up
the fact that the trash is rarely emptied, piles up in the parking garage, and
attracts animals such as rats and squirrels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officers also discussed how toilets in the
PSC do not work and have been out of service for months, even after having been
reported. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The group recommended keeping
the building clean and empting the trash on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Summary and Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Hartford Police Patrol Morale Focus Group was formed and tasked with
identifying issues that were affecting morale. To facilitate these findings, a
selection of officers with varying years of service were chosen. The group’s
diverse members were tasked with speaking to their peers and listening to the
issues that were possibly causing low morale. The group then submitted ideas and
later gathered as a group for a round table discussion. After these steps, the
group has concluded that by far the largest factor affecting the morale is pay
and benefits. The group believes that until these issues are improved
significantly morale will remain low and officers will continue to leave for other
police departments. The group also concludes that officers having a greater
liability and greater workload, for lower pay and benefits than surrounding
communities will continue to cause newer officers to look elsewhere for
employment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
group also concludes that many officers have the perception their work is not appreciated,
and they are not supported by the Command Staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group believes from its discussions that
much of this perception may be able to be changed with open lines of
communication and minor changes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982633190780306493.post-73875935983812013352021-03-04T17:50:00.000-05:002021-03-04T17:50:11.231-05:00WILL HARTFORD EVER CHANGE?<p> Do you remember in the not too distant past when the taxpayers of Connecticut bailed out the City of Hartford to prevent bankruptcy? That was supposed to be a fresh start for the City of Hartford to get itself back on a solid fiscal standing.</p><p>That fresh start never happened.</p><p> The Hartford City Council has been derelict in their performance and has probably done more to move Hartford toward bankruptcy than any possible solvency.</p><p>Along that path, the brain trust at the Hartford City Council decided they couldn't trust the Office of the Corporation Counsel, as provided by the Hartford City Charter.</p><p>Instead, the Council President and her minions (less 3 dissenting votes ) chose to hire an outside attorney at additional , unneeded, expense. The less three are Councilpersons Josh Michtom, Wildaliz Bermudez and John Gale who actually did not support the hiring. Michtom even goes so far as not taking his salary as a Councilman. Michtom';s real job is with the Connecticut Court system as a Public Defender and his ethical standards preclude him from taking the salary. Isn't that refreshing, ethics actually in play by an attorney.</p><p>Rather than rehash all of the details here are two of Rebecca Lurye's stories from the Hartford Courant, <a href="https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-kennelly-council-advice-20210206-5tjngu67v5czjgzsimwwtvapvm-story.html">https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-kennelly-council-advice-20210206-5tjngu67v5czjgzsimwwtvapvm-story.html</a> , and here <a href="https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-council-member-questions-attorney-hire-20210301-cvm6v6kc4vfrzbjzpcw2d2etzi-story.html">https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-council-member-questions-attorney-hire-20210301-cvm6v6kc4vfrzbjzpcw2d2etzi-story.html</a></p><p>There are many troubling aspects of this hiring of Attorney John Kennelly not the least being the political stink of corruption which apparently Hartford's Democrats and Council President Maly Rosado can't smell. Kennelly currently sits on the First District Hartford Democratic Town Committee which is one of the first steps in the approval process for anyone wishing to move into Hartford's politics. Anyone opposing Kennelly and falling out of favor would most likely have a difficult time when it comes to re-election or nominations.The three votes opposing Kennelly's appointment are two Working Families Party members and the shunned Democrat who was forced to form his own party to run, John Gale. WFP members are seperate from Hartford Democratic Town Committee influence</p><p>I think one of the most troubling aspects of Kennelly's hiring is that Kennelly refused to provide requested information to Michtom and others on what Michtom felt might have been apparently questionable billing. Kennelly apparently refused to provide the information to Michtom claiming "attorney client privilege". Maybe it is time for a remedial course in law school for Mr. Kennelly. Isn't Council Michtom and any other Councilmember asking questions actually the "CLIENT".</p><p>What is Mr. Kennelly hiding and why can't he share information with the full City Council?</p><p>Something is dirty in Hartford City Hall and for once it is not emanating from the Office of Mayor Luke Bronin.</p><p>End the political corruption and hire a real attorney when the Hartford City Council needs advice. One without the blemishes and warts on their legal reputation.</p>KEVIN BROOKMANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06597937634837295016noreply@blogger.com7