Council To Review Retirement Proposal For New London Police Chief

For the second time in two years, the City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the employment of Police Chief Margaret Ackley.

The meeting will take place in executive session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at City Hall and include representatives from the mayor's office and law department. The agenda includes discussion of the "status of pending and/or threatened litigation" by Ackley, "strategy and negotiations with respect to pending claims or pending litigation involving the city of New London," and "the employment of, and a retirement proposal from attorneys representing, Police Chief Margaret Ackley."

Ackley has been with the New London Police Department since 1986. She became chief in 2009.

The Council also held a special meeting on Ackley's employment in August of 2011, but took no action. Shortly after that meeting, Ackley publicly accused Michael Buscetto III, at that time a city councilor and candidate for mayor, of unethical behavior and attempts to undermine her authority in the police department. Ackley also accused the conflict with Buscetto of leading to her decision to retire from the department.

According to a memo from Thomas Londregan, then the city's law director, Ackley considered retiring in August of 2011 but was persuaded to remain chief until January of 2012 and announce her retirement after the 2011 election. The retirement agreement negotiated for Ackley at that time included waiving a claim to more than 2,000 hours of compensation time worked beyond a 40-hour work week, a payout for some vacation and holiday time, and Ackley's inclusion on the city's health plan until she reached the age of 65.

Mayor Daryl Finizio reappointed Ackley as police chief following his election in 2011. Finizio also recommended a new employment contract for Ackley and a $25,000 settlement payment to her to avoid “the cost, burden, and uncertainties of litigation,” but both agreements were rejected by the City Council.

An investigator looking into Ackley's claims against Buscetto determined that Ackley would be unlikely to prevail in a lawsuit if she had sued the city on the issue. The investigator also said the case could still have a “settlement value” of less than $30,000 to avoid legal costs in the event the city was unsuccessful at trial.

Ackley has also been sued by New London Police Union president Todd Lynch, who accuses Ackley of retaliatory actions against Lynch and the union. The case is currently pending before a federal court. 

A key issue in the lawsuit is Lynch's accusation that Ackley exchanged e-mails with resident and political activist Kathleen Mitchell and recommended that Mitchell request the personnel records for Lynch and other union members. The Republican Town Committee considered but did not approve a request for Ackley's resignation, and Finizio formally reprimanded Ackley for the e-mails after declaring them to be "outside the boundaries of proper managerial conduct." 

Ackley was placed on medical leave in February of 2013 due to an inability to work long hours after an injury received during Hurricane Sandy. Deputy Chief Peter Reichard became acting chief during her absence. Ackley has since returned to work.

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