Police Union: Chief Criticism Unrelated To Election

The ongoing dispute regarding Police Chief Margaret Ackley's allegations of unethical conduct by a city councilor were the subject of a discussion, which at times grew heated, at the on Monday. 

The talk, organized by Kathleen Mitchell and TeamNL, took place on the eve of the Democratic primary between City Councilor Michael Buscetto III and attorney Daryl Finizio. Ackley has of attempting to “undermine my authority within the police department” and “drive me out of my position as chief." Finizio, who publicly declared his support for Ackley, .

“We’re here to get to the truth and not keep listening to their lies,” said Mitchell, pointing at two representatives of the New London Police Union present at the event: union president, Darrin O’Mara and union counsel attorney Richard Gudis.

The New London Police Union is one of several unions that endorsed Buscetto's campaign for mayor. The police union, however, is at the forefront of all of those groups as a result of paying for an open letter published in on Saturday. The letter summarized the police department’s overall inefficiency and low moral, which the union feels is a direct result of Margaret Ackley’s appointment as chief. It also accused Ackley of failing to attend to provide support for officers, criticizing her decision to attend a special meeting of the City Council to discuss her retirement agreement soon after a who had stolen a delivery truck.

Both spokesmen for the union said in agreement, “We are here to make clear the position of our union, exclusively, as outlined in are open letter. We are not here today in any defense of candidate Buscetto.” 

Gudis said, “The letter we published derived from longstanding issues against Chief Ackley, amongst our rank and file members, secondary to anything currently alleged by Chief Ackley about Mr. Buscetto."

Finizio was present at the event at Mitchell's invitation. A similar invitation was turned downed by Buscetto, according to Mitchell.  

“I am here today, not in the capacity of a candidate,” said Mr. Finizio, “but rather to give more understanding as to why this serious matter calls for the involvement of an independent, outside investigator...I feel that the FBI, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, should be authorized to conduct this investigation, in the thorough, and most importantly, impartial manner that they do things.”

“In Westerly, when we had a to conduct an investigation into some alleged misconduct on the part of our police chief there, it was initially done internally," Finizio continued. "However, I personally demanded that in the interest of the public we additionally get an independent third party investigator. A retired U.S. Marshall was used, which was done in the interest of justice, and not for any political agenda, which is how this matters should be handled, too."

Gudis, let it be known that he and the union membership, likewise also welcomed an independent, third party investigation.