K-9 Ordinance Approved In New London City Council

The City Council unanimously voted Monday to approve an ordinance setting a minimum number of dogs in the New London Police Department, though some councilors expressed reticence at the measure and Mayor Daryl Finizio urged them to reject it.

The ordinance was adopted without discussion in a roll call vote at the full Council meeting following deliberations in the Public Safety Committee. It requires the NLPD to “maintain a recognized and distinguished K-9 patrol division within the department,” with at least four dogs and handlers. The ordinance says costs for the program should be included within the NLPD budget.

Councilor Adam Sprecace made some amendments in the Public Safety Committee, including one specifying the role of the dogs for tracking and apprehending suspects, locating contraband, and finding missing persons. The amendment passed 2-0, and the ordinance itself made it out of committee in a 2-1 vote.

Finizio, Lynch trade accusations

Todd Lynch, president of the police union, said the high number of attendees at Monday’s meeting was indicative of the support for the K-9 program in the NLPD and community. He also criticized Finizio’s contention that the dogs have been disproportionately used on minority suspects.

“The mayor’s use of race relations for his own political gain is very troubling,” said Lynch.

Finizio accused Lynch of “collective bargaining in public” by seeking to rile up the public and media on the K-9 issue. He also said he thought Lynch was trying to mischaracterize his concerns regarding suspects who have been bitten by police dogs.

“I will not be politically threatened with playing the race card for raising a concern if a program has a 90 percent disparate impact,” he said.

Finzio said he is contractually mandated to maintain a K-9 program in the NLPD and that mutual aid departments with K-9s sometimes arrive at a scene as quickly as NLPD handlers who live out of town. He also said NLPD officers have said other needs—including electrostatic guns, increased staffing levels, and vehicle and computer maintenance—take higher priority than the K-9 program.

Charter and other concerns

Londregan advised against the measure, saying it would violate the City Charter. Londregan said the ordinance would infringe upon the responsibilities of the mayor’s office by giving an order to Police Chief Margaret Ackley, a member of the mayor’s administration.

“In essence, this ordinance is attempting to dictate to the police department how it should operate and what assets it must retain,” said Londregan.

Councilor Donald Macrino said the Council could take more time to revise the ordinance to ensure that it complies with the Charter. Council President Pro Tempore Wade Hyslop also suggested that more time to work on the ordinance could be helpful in addressing issues such as the race concerns.

“Don’t let anyone leave here saying I’m opposed to the K-9 program,” he said.

Resident Avner Gregory said he did not support having a K-9 program at this time, saying it would not be worthwhile to maintain one during a “dysfunctional” time in the NLPD.

“This dog thing is about overtime, and when you add in litigation it’s just not worth it,” he said.

Support

Passero said he thought the ordinance was within the Council’s authority, and that it is able to establish guidelines in city departments while the mayor’s administration manages it. He said he thought Finizio should be able to address issues within the program without abolishing it.

“There’s a 20- to 30-year history of success with the K-9 program in our city, and I don’t think it’s right that because of the administration we have that that history should end,” he said.

Others said they thought the K-9 program would help with officer safety. Councilor Anthony Nolan, a police officer, said the dogs are useful when officers are searching for a hiding suspect who might be dangerous.

“I would hate to see an officer injured because they went into an area blind,” he said.

Councilor Marie Friess-McSparran said she thought the program would be valuable to the community as a whole.

“It is necessary and it is appropriate for this city to have K-9s to protect its citizens,” she said.

Past actions

The number of K-9s in the department had declined from four to one when the Council began discussing the possibility of establishing a K-9 policy. One dog was sold to its trainer. Patrol dog Buck was retired due to arthritis. Bessie, a bloodhound, was boarded with the Connecticut State Police following the departure of her handler from the NLPD.

The Council unanimously passed a resolution of support for the program on July 1 after an effort to establish an ordinance failed in a 3-3 tie. The resolution specifically recommended restoring Bessie and Buck to the NLPD, citing the New London Police Union’s position that Buck has been medically cleared for two years of service and that his medical costs can be covered by donations received at fundraisers. Finizio responded by saying he would retain Bessie in the department, but that he considered Buck’s retirement to be final.

Councilors unanimously voted on July 15 to refer the K-9 ordinance to the Public Safety Committee and to Londregan for a legal opinion. 

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