Police Chief Margaret Ackley has been placed on medical leave due to her inability to work more than two hours per day after an injury received during Hurricane Sandy.
Mayor Daryl Finizio announced today that Ackley has been placed on paid administrative leave for medical purposes. During her absence, Deputy Chief Peter Reichard will be acting chief of the New London Police Department.
"It is my profound hope that the chief will receive medical clearance to resume her full time duties as soon as possible," Finizio said in a statement. "My only concern is for the chief's health, and I wish her a speedy recovery."
Ackley was working at the Emergency Operations Center at the New London Fire Department Headquarters on Oct. 29 when high winds blew a window out of its frame. The frame struck Ackley on the head, and she continued to work while treating the injury with an ice pack.
"During the initial phase of her treatment, her recovery appeared to be progressing routinely," interim risk manager Bernadette Welch told Chief Administrative Officer Jane Glover in a Friday memo. "However, since mid-December her condition has not improved and she remains unable to work more than two hours per day."
Welch said she did not think Ackley's ability to work short-term light duty was helping with her recovery and that the activity could be delaying her recuperation. She said the city's progressive light duty policy requires an employ to "actuaily be progressing in their ability to work in order to continue him/her to work light duty in the transitional return-to-work program."
Welch recommended that the city not authorize Ackley for further light duty, limited duty, or restricted duty until her ability to work longer hours progresses on "a regular basis of weekly or bi-weekly improvement."
Glover said Ackley will remain on medical leave until she is cleared by her doctor to return to work.
Finizio said in a memo to Ackley that she will continue to receive her salary under worker's compensation during the leave.
"Whi;e it is within my authority to re-assign you to another department with lighter work, I feel that would be inappropriate for an employee of your stature," Finizio wrote.
Ackley has been with the New London Police Department since 1986 and became chief in June of 2009. Finizio appointed Reichard as deputy chief last April.
Original breaking news:
Police Chief Margaret Ackley is on paid administrative leave for medical purposes effective today, Mayor Daryl Finizio announced today.
Finizio said Deputy Chief Peter Reichard will be the acting chief during Ackley's leave.
"It is my profound hope that the chief will receive medical clearance to resume her full time duties as soon as possible," Finizio said in a statement. "My only concern is for the chief's health, and I wish her a speedy recovery."
A full story will be posted shortly.
