MAYOR JOSEPH P.

GANIM CHIEF OF POLICE

BRIDGEPORT, CT ARMANDO J. PEREZ

For Immediate Release For More Information:

March 7, 2019 Rowena White (203) 576-7201
Rowena.white@bridgeportct.gov

CITY OF BRIDGEPORT OFFICE OF INTERNAL

AFFAIRS REPORT OF OFFICER MISCONDUCT
Bridgeport CT – The Internal Affairs investigation related to incidents that took place in July
2017 at a house party on Colorado Avenue in Bridgeport reports that seventeen officers have
been cited with various violations. The cited officers will go before a civilian tribunal,
Bridgeport Police Commission, where the charges may result in disciplinary action that may
include termination, suspension, demotion, or additional training.

This matter is still pending and under review. Clearly these are serious charges that will be
brought before the Police Commission for action. If the officers are found guilty by the Board
of Commissioners, they will be subject to the stated disciplinary protocols. This incident is
certainly a troublesome report for our officers, however it is not a reflection of our entire
department. So, it is necessary to point out that we have hundreds of hard working and dedicated
Bridgeport police officers in our department who put themselves in harm’s way, work in a
difficult environment, and need to have our continued support in the community.

Chief Perez stated, “The police department will not tolerate misconduct from our officers. Since
this incident and throughout my tenure as Chief, we have taken various proactive measures to
ensure that officers are appropriately trained on safety, responding to a scene, and interacting
with the community. Additionally, training for de-escalation and community policing have
become part of our standards in the academy and is also mandatory for veteran officers who did
not receive this type of training while in the academy years ago. The department has also
invested in the technology of body and dash cams that assist our responding officers with
investigations on an active scene, while holding them accountable for their actions when
interacting with subjects and respondents.”

This investigation was prompted by three civilian complaints. When a civilian makes a
complaint against an officer it is investigated by the Office of Internal Affairs, and under federal
decree, it is then referred to the Board of Police Commissioners. These commissioners are
civilians who have scheduled meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, to review and
oversee Police Department and Traffic Authority matters. Upon completion of the investigation
in the middle of November, the Office of Internal Affairs referred their report to the Board of
Police Commissioners through the department clerk. The hearings will be scheduled by the
Board at their earliest availability.
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