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On September 28th 2010 the “Community Police Hearing Board” convened to conduct a

Disciplinary Hearing involving the citizen’s complaint from Melvin Jones who was
arrested in a traffic stop in November, 2009. Mr. Jones received injuries during the arrest
where Jones was charged with Possession of a Class “B” Substance with Intent to
Distribute (Crack Cocaine). That case is still pending in Hampden County Superior
Court. The officers involved in that arrest are Lt. John Bobianski, Officer Jeffery Asher,
Officer Michael Sedergren and Officer Theodore Truoloio. The complaint against the
officers was investigated thoroughly and professionally by the Springfield Police
Departments Internal Investigation Unit under the direction of Lt. Larry Brown. The
District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the office of
Mayor Domenic Sarno were also apprised of the investigation into the allegations against
the four officers. As a result of the investigation the hearing commenced and lasted three
days. Numerous witnesses were called to testify. Also introduced into evidence during
the hearing was a video recording of the arrest taken by private citizens that were very
close by the traffic stop and arrest of Melvin Jones. After the Board heard all the
testimony and reviewed all the evidence surrounding the case they gave their written
decision and recommendation to my office on Monday, October 18th. I have reviewed
their decision very closely and have rendered the following disciplinary action:

Lt. John Bobianski – Suspended without pay for 45 days. Upon return to duty
Lt. Bobianski will undergo re-training in “Applied Patrol
Procedure”.

Officer Jeffery Asher – Termination of employment.

Officer Michael Sedergren – Suspended without pay for 45 days. Upon return to
Duty, Officer Sedergren will undergo retraining in
In “Anger Management” and “Applied Patrol
Procedure”.

Officer Theodore Truoilo - Suspended without pay for 15 days. Upon return to
Duty, Officer Truoilo will undergo retraining in
“Applied Patrol Procedure”.

I would like to thank the “Community Police Hearings Board” for the diligence and the
professional manner in which these hearings were conducted. I would also like to
commend the Internal Investigation Unit for their fair investigation which was conducted
in a very timely manner.

The men and women of the Springfield Police Department continue to protect and serve
the public in a professional manner. The citizens who live and work in the
City of Springfield should have confidence, like I do, in their abilities to keep our city
safe. As a result of this investigation, I have formed a “Professional Standards Unit”
under the direction of Captain Robert Cheetham. This unit works very close with the
Internal Investigation Unit and they review all prisoner injury reports in which the
individual in police custody requests medical treatment. The Springfield Police
department will continue to handle all citizen complaints in a professional and timely
manner. Mayor Domenic Sarno has put in place the “Community Police Hearings Board”
to make sure that all these investigations are thorough, fair and transparent.

Commissioner William J. Fitchet


Springfield Police Department
130 Pearl Street
Springfield, Massachusetts

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