New Haven Independent

Posted by: mike | December 1, 2009 6:33 PM

I'm truly amazed. Thanks to the NH Independent for sharing this with us. I wonder how long before he is back on the streets patrolling our neighborhoods.

Posted by: Ellis Copeland | December 1, 2009 6:36 PM

Held accountable like any citizen, says Lewis??? WTF????? "Any" citizen would have spent that very night at Union Ave. in a cell and hauled to Elm St. for arraignment the next morning. "Any" citizen would, a month after the arrest, be racking up lawyer's bills as the ASA was putting on the full court press for a plea deal. "Any" citizen my ###! And these 'swipes can't figure out why no one respects them-- except for the whiny babies who desperately want to live in a Soviet style police state.

Posted by: Cap | December 1, 2009 6:58 PM

I like this Chief Lewis - instead of letting suspended officers sit home on "paid" suspension, getting paid by taxpayers for doing nothing after engaging in bad behavior, the Chief puts them on suspension in the booking room. That way the officer, pending investigation, has to get out of bed, and spend eight hours doing some work. Now that's what I call reform! Now if we can only extend that to welfare - and make people show up somewhere and do some labor for their checks.

Posted by: Gretchen Pritchard | December 1, 2009 7:59 PM

Hey, the headline was misleading. It implied he peed on the floor of the bar area itself. Turns out he only peed on the floor of the men's room.

[Editor's Note: Thanks for pointing it out. My bad. Headline fixed.]

Posted by: DKR | December 1, 2009 8:16 PM

He is a disgrace and DOES NOT represent all the hard working police officers in our state and around the country. he should in fact be "FIRED" for his conduct and misrepresentation of "the badge"

Posted by: Silent Observer | December 1, 2009 9:26 PM

New Havens finest. Well trained. Good to hear he didnt pee in his cop car.

Posted by: Jay | December 1, 2009 9:53 PM

if the police commission had any balls at all they would fire this guy. what a disgrace to new haven.

Posted by: Ellis Copeland | December 2, 2009 1:27 AM

Dear DKR-- every 6 to 12 months there is a fresh tale of some misdeed by NHPD and people like you say it's only one bad apple. At what point does the bad behavior become representative of the department? What other employer of 400+/- has a constrant stream of miscreants flowing from it?

Posted by: East Rocker | December 2, 2009 2:20 AM

Good article, NHI. One question - Since when is the word "peeing" proper language for formal journalism? I think "urinating" should be used throughout, except when "peeing" appears in a direct quote. Otherwise, good article.

Posted by: Morris Cove | December 2, 2009 2:26 AM

This officer is a disgrace, in one night , he managed to bring down all the good work that these hard working police officers have done in the past year or so. I hope they fire this clown, for abusing his authority.

Hey Copeland, I've read you past post on the police, and it obvious to everyone that you have a twisted agenda so why dont you ease up, he was charged with three misdemeanors and would have been allowed to get out of detention that same night on a P.T.A., and as far as a plea deal, be for real all the charges were non violent and he would be eligible for an A.R., save you silly rants for your next militia meeting.

Posted by: Dominik | December 2, 2009 4:07 AM

A HS Education and a badge and they think they are gods.

Posted by: New_Haven_Resident | December 2, 2009 7:23 AM

Thanks NHI for the info!

How come I didn't see this on the news? Go figure a rookie. If he is in the force less than a year, why not get rid of him.

Posted by: Gene Debs | December 2, 2009 8:29 AM

Perhaps this young man has a drinking problem and should get the help that he needs. How many of us haven't acted like asses in bars at least once in our lives? I hope the young man gets some treatment and goes on to have a long and productive career. Maybe we should show a bit of compassion before we fire this fellow for peeing on the floor. At my age, I miss the bowl at home most of the time.

Posted by: K | December 2, 2009 8:41 AM

A BAD COP - good thing you got to see that so soon in his "career," so the city can FIRE him. We need cops, but not ones like him. Next time, the charges might be more violent.

Posted by: Bruce | December 2, 2009 9:23 AM

I don't know, he sounds pretty "sick" to me. Maybe it was a mental health day.

Posted by: robn | December 2, 2009 9:36 AM

If he was young drunk and did a stupid thing then he's shown the same attributes as many young people. What if he apologized and the NHPD required him to do AA meetings and retrain a bit in the area of diplomacy? Maybe he could learn from the mistake and become a better cop for it.

Posted by: New Haven's finest | December 2, 2009 9:42 AM

Why was the female bouncer in the men's room? Did he go in there to avoid having to leave the club thinking she couldn't follow him or did he really have to use the bathroom?Maybe both...

Posted by: Old Punk | December 2, 2009 9:55 AM

Thankfully, no firearms involved.

Misuse of his badge?.. and while drunk?.. he should be fired.

He'd be better off finding another line of work. With that on his record, he'll end up unpromoted and frustrated/angry in a decade. Where does that lead?

Posted by: Gene Debs | December 2, 2009 11:58 AM

I am happy to say that people have rights in this country including workers. So the idea that someone can get fired for an alleged minor crime while he is not working is preposterous. On the other hand, I have heard that alcohol abuse may be higher among police officers due to job stress. Perhaps some education is this area would be useful.

Posted by: ChuckP | December 2, 2009 12:06 PM

Gene, thats funny. When my sons were little they seemed to be able to hit everything but the toilet.

Seriously though, if he has a dependency issue, he should avail himself of the programs that are probably part of his benefit package. Unfortunately, the stresses of that line of work and possibly the realization of a wrong career move could make people turn to the bottle. If thats the case, then its a disease not a character trait. If its not a dependency issue, then the story changes entirely.

Posted by: JOE | December 2, 2009 1:00 PM

The main adjenda here is termination. I think new haven pd should up the age requirement. immaturity seems to be a big problem!!!!!!

Posted by: William Kurtz | December 2, 2009 1:03 PM

The odds that the stress of the job have caused a 24 year old rookie police officer with less than a year of service to develop a drinking problem and display such a staggering lack of judgment seem pretty small.

There's nothing minor about an intoxicated (and possibly armed?) police officer using his position to try to intimidate citizens and avoid the consequences of his own egregiously anti-social behavior. Presumably, Officer Bandys' supervisors and the police commission are in the best position to determine whether his work to date warrants his continued employment; if they decide it does, I hope he learns something useful from this experience.

Posted by: Distressed Tax Payer | December 2, 2009 2:10 PM

Thanks to the NHI for presenting this information. The behavior described by this newly certified officer as well as some of the comments posted are truly disturbing. If the writer identified as New Haven's Finest is really a police officer, Chief Lewis has a bigger problem than the arrogance and ill-mannered behavior of officer Bandy, who is clearly ill-prepared to maintain law and order in our fractured city. If he behaves in this manner after being on the force for less than one year, imagine what he might do after becoming a seasoned cop! Frightening thought!

Police officers who abuse the power of their badge are nothing new in NH or elsewhere. Many people who have been abused and intimidated by police officers are afraid to come forward because most police depts are like a closed society; they protect their own. Even if individual officers privately condemn the bad behavior of some colleagues, they do not speak out.

There are documented cases of police officers using their badge to intimidate and harass law-abiding citizens and to break the very laws they are supposed to uphold; it happens much more frequently than is reported, and 8 out of 10 reported cases are not dealt with in the manner that brings justice to citizens. Thankfully, there are more civil, respectful and positive police officers than those represented by Bandy and his cohorts. The good officers should realize that there are no benefits to the police dept (overall) in cuddling these recalcitrants.

Police depts everywhere, and certainly in NH, should do more to root out and fire those officers who do not uphold the law whether they were on duty or not when they misbehaved. If they used their badge as a means of justifying what they are doing, or to get special consideration, that justifies evaluating their behavior as officers. This officer whose reported conduct was clearly unbecoming should have been arrested and treated as any other citizen would have been under the described circumstances. He was not there as a police officer; when he flashed his badge he brought being an officer into the equation. Why was he given any special consideration? He behaved like a punk and should have been treated as such.

Finally, I applaud Chief Lewis for putting him on duty rather than paying him to be at home; however, given the financial situation NH is in, the sooner this misfit is fired, the better for the city and the NHPD. There are a few others who also need to be kicked out. More needs to be done during training to teach recruits social responsibility and self respect. Overall, how can the police unions and officers expect youngsters to respect them when some of their own show such disrespect for the normative rules of our society, and are such bad examples of what it means to be an officer of the law? Yes, most of the police officers in NHPD are outstanding and respectful examples of law enforcement; it is the few bad apples who are tarnishing the lot.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 2, 2009 2:39 PM

Stress.B.S. this is a way of life for most Cops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAHjhtYZpX0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VapfDzIVoCU

Posted by: Sunday | December 2, 2009 2:40 PM

Officer Bandy need a dose of reality check. Just because you have a gun and badge doesn't mean you can bully other people. I really think he is imature and his behavior just shows what he is going to be doing 10 years down the road if he stay on the force, which will be the same thing are worst. People don't really change they just adjust their behavior to fit what situation they become involed in at the moment to survive.

Posted by: DKR | December 2, 2009 4:07 PM

hey elis copeland,..
it's obvious to me you have some type of jealousy and or anger towards cops or authority in general. just remember, (we) are the first to be called by people like you who are in need OF our assistance. then again, judging by your comments and demeanor you're the same person(s) we deal with on a daily basis in which our job qualifies as "babysitters" because you need the police to handle ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS..!!!!

Posted by: jawbone | December 2, 2009 4:34 PM

DKR-
I hope you are never my responding officer. You need anger management classes, sir.

Posted by: Seth P. | December 2, 2009 4:43 PM

I was a bouncer for more than 12 years in New Haven. Cops have been abusing their "power" in this way for some time now. Most incidents go unnoticed because civilians have always preferred to appease officers at the behest of the badge.

The process by which officers are selected needs to undergo some serious alterations so we avoid embarrassing situations like these. I'd bet my bottom dollar that this kid didn't grow up in New Haven. Maybe he would have shown a "little" more respect.

Posted by: Nick | December 2, 2009 5:12 PM

In my experience this is pretty typical. I worked as a bouncer/bartender in the bar scene in Hartford and Milford in during and after college. I can't count the number of times i've heard the phrase “you don’t know who I am!” thrown at me just prior to being flashed a badge by some guy who had too many.

I have plenty of respect for police officers in general but as soon as an alcoholic drink touches your lips you should have to leave your badge at home. Drinking to excess brings out the worst in people, and if I had a few, and had a free pass in my wallet, I'd probably use it too.

He should be fined or charged just like anyone else, but I don't think he should loose his job over the incident.

Posted by: V | December 2, 2009 7:08 PM

He should be off the force. You should only get one strike when it comes to abusing the power and authority that the people have entrusted you with.

Posted by: anon | December 2, 2009 8:34 PM

his willingness to misuse his badge is a really red flag, and likely to be an innate thing all the time, where being drunk only caused him to flaunt it. It says being a cop means power to him, not public service. It says a lot about how he will police stone sober. it says what being a cop means to him.

Posted by: Morris Cove | December 2, 2009 9:01 PM

Thrreefiths

Sounds like your hatered of police is really showing through. You know what is funny, your little clips are never shown when the cops make numerous arrest for guns and drugs, and general outstanding work we don't hear a peep from you or your alter ego Ellis Copeland, but when it's negative .....well here you are.

The shootings that you posted have nothing to do with this article, and for you to imply that shootings are some how common is ridiculous, but I've come accept this from people of your ilk.

Posted by: DKR | December 2, 2009 9:04 PM

hey thanks for the tip jawbone,..just give me the name of the instructor you had and i'll be there as soon as i can,..!!! what i speak is the truth and like 95% of people within our society, they are affraid of the truth. spend 8 hours with me or any officer in an urban environment and then you can pss judgment as to who needs anger management.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 2, 2009 10:28 PM

Morris Cove

Sounds like your hatered of police is really showing through. You know what is funny, your little clips are never shown when the cops make numerous arrest for guns and drugs, and general outstanding work we don't hear a peep from you or your alter ego Ellis Copeland, but when it's negative .....well here you are.

The shootings that you posted have nothing to do with this article, and for you to imply that shootings are some how common is ridiculous, but I've come accept this from people of your ilk.

Where are the good cops that you always talk about to try to stop this type of abuse.How come the officer at the bar did not lock Him up. In fact they even try to abuse there own. You know the story of Frank Serpico Look what is own try to do to him.Three officers went up the steps to the third-floor landing. Serpico knocked on the door with his other hand inside his jacket on his 9mm Browning Hi-Power. The door opened a few inches, the chain still on. Serpico pushed and the chain snapped. It was enough for him to wedge part of his body in but the dealers on the other side were trying to close it. Serpico called out to his partners who did not come to help him.[6]

Serpico was shot in the face at point blank range with a .22 LR handgun. The bullet penetrated his cheek just below the eye and lodged at the top of his jaw; he lost balance, fell to the floor, and began to bleed profusely. Serpico's colleagues failed to place a "10-13," a dispatch to police headquarters indicating that an officer has been shot.[6] Instead, Serpico was saved by an elderly Hispanic man who lived in an apartment adjacent to the one being used by the suspects; the man called emergency services and reported that a man had been shot, and then stayed with Serpico to help keep him alive until an ambulance arrived.[6] A police squad car arrived prior to the ambulance, however, and the officers, unaware of the bloodied Serpico's identity, took him to Greenpoint Hospital. That's you good old boys in blue for you!!! Hwo about the pending lawsuit from another one of the good all boys in blue who planted drugs in a guys house.

The shootings that you posted have nothing to do with this article, and for you to imply that shootings are some how common is ridiculous, but I've come accept this from people of your ilk.

No what I posted show how people like you who need to wake up and Look at this type of conduct for what it is.

P. S.

Enjoy these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkiyBVytRQ&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkiyBVytRQ&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibSwITK4jjQ&feature=related

We can't for get this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCqEhrX4ruU&feature=related

Last how about your alter ego and main man!!!

http://newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/10/billy_white_ple.php

Posted by: Free Speech | December 3, 2009 12:15 AM

I absolutely agree with you gene debbs. I beleive this young man needs treatment. If he is getting intoxicated to this level then there is a problem..alll places of employment have EAP!!! Give him the opportunity first everyone.....However distressed taxpayer.... i have to agree, this young officer gives these hard WORKING officers a difficult time to show their hard work. These officer put themselves on the line daily and for a young, ignorant and selfish kid, who obviously does not take his career and position in the community seriously...he needs to go before the police of commisioner board..please not the IA department, those guys are a joke!! Thank you so much for listening!

Posted by: kaMB | December 3, 2009 1:29 AM

I think what this new officer did is ridiculous. And he should be dealt with.

But, it always amazes me after reading most of these posts how people are so quick to want the cop fired or locked-up. And people post other Youtube links about police misconduct.

Regular citizens don't understand what officers do, or the effect the job has on you, especially a city cop in a busy city, like New Haven. I'm not making excuses for this officer because his action were that of a spoiled child, but at least let hi have his day in court like everyone else.

Has he done anyting like this before? Hashe abused citizens? Or did he just decide he was going to go out and get drunk and had way to much?

If there was an article posted about a career criminal shooting someone the posts would be so much more forgiving for the person who commited the crime. Let the NHPD deal with this guy but put his actions into perspective.

Posted by: jawbone | December 3, 2009 9:21 AM

DKR, i've got nothing to be angry about. All I'm saying is that law enforcement personnel with an attitude like yours actually scares me more than the criminals.

Posted by: robn | December 3, 2009 1:41 PM

Nobody was hurt. If this doesn't represent a pattern of abuse, he should apologize, be punished, retrained and put back on duty. Part of being young is making mistakes and learning from them.

Posted by: Morris Cove | December 3, 2009 3:32 PM

Threefiths

You just made my point about the hatered and contemt you have towards police, you referenced Frank Serpico, a guy who retired from the NYPD in 1971, that was 38 YEARS AGO. Were you even born then?, come on you really have to update some of your meterial.

Oh and the shootings....nice touch, but where is the abuse of power in NEW HAVEN??? I'll give you Billy White, but for Billy there are hundreds of officers that do the job and protect and serve this community, all while putting there lives on the line day in and day out, just read the cop of the month posted on this very site!!! , do you need me to reference it for you?

Posted by: Concerned Citizen | December 3, 2009 4:06 PM

DKR writes: "..judging by your comments and demeanor you're the same person(s) we deal with on a daily basis in which our job qualifies as "babysitters" because you need the police to handle ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS..!!!!

I am fairly confident that the author of the above statement demonstrates in many other ways how unfit he/she is to be an exemplerary police officer in the NHPD. Anyone who would make this statement has to be an ignoramous who demonstrates this ignorance daily. I hope that before Chief Lewis leaves he will do everything in his power to rid the NHPD of this type of officer. Instead of getting angry at Mr. Ellis, your colleagues should be ridding the the NHPD of you. Sadly, officers who report bad behavior by colleagues run the risk of being ostracized.

Here are a few examples of those bad police officers who give good police officers a bad name. You, DKR, Bandy and all the officers who condone bad police conduct are the real enemies of good police officers. The policy and practice in many police depts of cuddling bad cops and punishing those who speak up (this is also true at the NHPD) account for the likes of cops like new officer Bandy and you, DKR and those who behave in the manner described below. I admire and respect good police officers; they have a tough job. Their job is made easier when members of the community feel compelled to cooperate with them; that will only happen when people respect them.

1. Feb. 28, 2009
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
A video showing a King County Sheriff’s deputy pummeling a 15-year-old girl in a holding cell was released Friday over the strenuous objections of the officer’s attorney.
"The case goes beyond police misconduct, County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said in a prepared statement. “It’s about criminal misconduct. And that’s why he needs to [...]

Pure and simple, this is a man who should never have been given a badge. Paul Schene didn’t just snap and attack a suspect this one time, that much I can guarantee. He merely got away with it until now, because he’s a cop."

"This kind of violence toward suspects actually happens all the time, but is almost impossible to prove since the average person tends to believe cops over the people they arrested, so the public doesn’t hear about it. The only thing truly unusual about this situation – not unlike the infamous Rodney King beating by the LAPD - is that the attack was caught on videotape."

2. March 4th, 2009
NYPD cops accused of raping an intoxicated woman after helping her home:
The owner of the bar, Heather Millstone, 34, said she gave the district attorney’s office footage from a camera near the door of the bar on East 13th Street after two women arrived on Dec. 7 and said their friend had been attacked in [...]

3. Cops Gone Wild: Brutal attack on teen girl not uncommon police ...Mar 13, 2009 ... Bear in mind, I do not condone that behavior by any stretch of the imagination. ... Even in light of the video evidence against him, Schene has only been .... Police departments need to be able to fire bad cops at will. lastfreevoice.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/paul-schene/

4. March 26, 2009 6:18 PM ... Dallas Police Officer Robert Powell, I am speecheless by this officer behavior. This is definitely a prime example of the problem that exists in police forces nation-wide. .... Tattooed, skinheaded and able to hide behind a badge for 3 years! ... the same officer in this video has a history of bad behavior.. he harassed zach ...
harryeddie.blogspot.com/2009/.../dallas-police-officer-robert-powell.html

Posted by: DKR | December 3, 2009 4:22 PM

well jawbone,..as i said,..in my previous post,..i don't have any attitude at all,..i deal with reality,and speak the truth..and as i stated and i think i can get 99.9% of my fellow officers to back me on on this,.perhaps 95% of our society can not deal with or handle the truth/reality and are always looking to have it sugar coated or pass the buck onto someone else instead of taking responsibity for their own actions. actions that we (police) deal with on a day to day basis. actions that 90% of the time DO NOT require police intervention,..but hey that's why i use the term "babysitter"..when was the last time you called the police because your spouse wouldn't let you have the remote to the tv,..or call the police on your daughter because you want her out of the house because yuo just learned she's sexually active,..!shall i continue???

Posted by: notimon | December 3, 2009 4:45 PM

Robin are you serious, part of being young is making mistakes. This guy carries a gun, he cant afford to make a mistake, because in a fit of anger his mistakes will cost someone their life. For you cops who say its tough on the streets, I am on the streets, B sqaud, its what you make it, getting to know the community you serve makes it easier. This guy is a rookie, sorry to say, we already have a glimpse of what this guy will become and once he connects with some of guys who have been around the block a few times, its a recipe for disaster.

Posted by: DKR | December 3, 2009 5:23 PM

dear concerned citizen..

perhaps if you took the time to read my first post about ofc. bandy,..you would've seen that I, in fact DID NOT appreciate his actions and stated that he should be FIRED/TERMINATED for his actions and conduct/ misrepresentation and abuse of the "the badge" my statements, and i stand behind them, as im not hiding behind the monitor of a computer, i use my REAL INITIALS,ARE VERY TRUE AND MATTER OF FACT. i'm second generation police officer and damn proud of it and all the good hearted/hard working/dedicated brother and sister officers i work with on a daily basis. as we all know speaking the truth hurts most people and i WILL NOT LET A FEW BAD APPLES WHO HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS,..tarnish my hard work/dedication/ and respect for "THE BADGE"

Posted by: S | December 3, 2009 5:29 PM

the other side of the job....

Not saying poor conduct is acceptable, however Officers face increasing danger everyday. I can only speak for myself but i was in a life/death situation and remember praying to myself that police would arrive. Their was such a sense of saftey when they arrived and placed themselves in danger to protect me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXem0mACyAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blZgg00qO0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhv_xmoFso

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 3, 2009 6:24 PM

Morris Cove

You just made my point about the hatered and contemt you have towards police, you referenced Frank Serpico, a guy who retired from the NYPD in 1971, that was 38 YEARS AGO. Were you even born then?,

I was born then.In fact I saw him speak At NYU and he said It is them same across this country. Nothing has change from the time he was on the force.

update some of your meterial.

Here is you up date Enjoy.

Judge Jack Weinstein rips NYPD on false arrests as brothers sue for $10M over wrongful narcs bust

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/11/30/2009-11-30_judge_rips_nypd_on_false_arrests.html

These are the judges word not mine.

Posted by: Ellis Copeland | December 3, 2009 6:41 PM

DKR-- European people managed to live on this continent for 238 years WITHOUT cops. I, for one, have NEVER, nor will I ever call cops for anything. Cops create crime-- not merely the crimes they directly commit on a daily basis but the crime that results from the social anxiety they create. Cops go looking for trouble, they find it. Gee, it doesn't take a psych professor to figure out that dynamic.
...

Posted by: ladyfoxy | December 3, 2009 9:19 PM

This officer should be fired from the New Haven Police Department. He is a disgrace as an officer and the badge. The badge is an honor that has to be protected. I know that as human beings we are no perfect and mistakes are made but as a police officer a mistake could get someone hurt or kill. I hope that once internal affairs finalizes their investigation then Chief Lewis makes the appropriate and most wise decision regarding Officer Bandy's ridiculous behavior. My advised to Officer Bandy is for him to grow up and bring yourself to earth, you are not above the civilian citizens of New Haven and just like you were put in a position of power, you can easily end up losing your job.

Posted by: newhaven | December 4, 2009 9:20 AM

Fire, Fire, Fire, him I agree with Joe up the age they are all young on this force and they think they are police officers of the wild west. Go back 15 yrs or so that was a police dept. All mature men and women who now have retired my hat off to those who served with respect and retired with respect

Posted by: Morris Cove | December 4, 2009 2:03 PM

Threefiths

Just keep making my point, your meterial is dated and from a another state all together. Come on you heard him speak at NYU, and he spoke from his time on the force 40 years ago!!! And then you reference a liberal judge from ......New York, so my point is made made once more. Please don't respond with another obscure reference from New York of Kalamazoo try to keep it local this time, and btw did you bother to check out the officer of the month section????? Guess not huh

Posted by: ROBN | December 5, 2009 9:42 AM

NOTIMAN,

I guess my point is this. Officer Bandy was accepted to police academy, graduated and has been on the force for about a year. If he's truly a consistently dangerous and volatile person then the failure to identify this is a systemic failure and theres a far deeper problem than just this one person. If, instead, he did something embarrassing, mean and dumb, but that action isn't part of a bigger pattern of abusive behavior, then maybe he can be redeemed by an apology, retraining, and some probationary period.

Others have referred to the potential for deadly behavior by someone carrying a gun, but he only flashed his badge, not his gun....his actions weren't cool, but they weren't dangerous either.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 5, 2009 10:18 AM

Morris Cove

Here is your local.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/Hartford-Cops-Investigate-Police-Brutality--69493842.html

http://www.wfsb.com/news/21711300/detail.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/12/nyregion/ex-officer-gets-6-years-for-killing-suspect.html

Enjoy this one.

http://www.policecrimes.com/police_brutality/Connecticut_police.html

Posted by: RFL | December 6, 2009 11:50 AM

Wow.
Concerned citizen. Police create more crime than criminals. I suppose there is a reason for your obvious hatred of police officers but WOW.
Im confused DKR stated with NO ambiguity that he not only supported Bandy's arrest he WANTED him fired as well. So why attack him. Isn't that what the publlc should want, police officers to stand up and not condone and/or cover up what crimes officers commit. And Yes it does seem that every couple of months there is a report about a bad apple, and as a colleague and friend of DKR's, I can tell you this it sucks because WE get the type of responses that you posted. All officers like DKR and I do is act professional, do our jobs with honor and respect, and be thankful that finally this city and our department is finally TRYING to make the NHPD a better police dept. and a proud place to work. Why not celebrate the fact that the Dept. is not sweeping the dirt under the rug and is trying to take action against bad officers, instead of piling on. Change doesnt happen over night, but I think i can say if your hearing about these things, then we are at least on the right roadway, are we not.I will leave on this note Police Officers are Human we make mistakes just as everyone else in every other profession. I know I have but I try every day to positively effect the quality of life in New Haven as do the VAST majority of NHPD officers I have worked with, I might not always succeed, or get it right but I try every single day.

Posted by: bfair | December 6, 2009 6:31 PM

Some of you either don't get it or don't want to get it. This is an officer "in early training". He flashed his badge in supreme arrogance because in his mind having a badge equates to being above the law. In less than a year he is abusing his power. He's only been on the job one year so the excuse that job stress is responsible for his public drunkenness is ludicrous. Calling in sick and going to a bar indicates he is a liar and direlect in his duties as an officer. A liar will lie in reporting of incidents. That's huge!!! To accuse those who can see a disaster in the making of hating police is a copout. Its a great tool for avoiding the truth. This young man made a SERIOUS mistake after only one year on the job and needs to seek employment in another line of work where public safety is not at risk. He is showing all the signs of an abusive officer early on. Hopefully, Chief Lewis will agree and as he continues trying to rid the city of criminals that he will eradicate them from the department. I think we can all agree that the majority of officers are good hard working men and women but at the same time we cannot afford to close our eyes to those whom are in uniform for all the wrong reasons. Having him book other lawbreakers is priceless!!!!

Posted by: ciarrai | December 6, 2009 8:42 PM

Jason Cutler and the observer, "BFAIR", have it right in stating that this "cop" ought to seek other employment. The type of behaviour he engaged in does not show great promise for a stellar career in law enforcement.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | December 7, 2009 9:35 AM

Morris Cove

Another One!!!!

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/12/06/2009-12-06_cop_busted_in_holiday_date_rape.html

Posted by: my two cents | December 9, 2009 3:58 AM

Ellis Copeland,

Truly believe me when I say, I very sincerely hope you never have to eat your words about not calling the pd for anything. You know, your car is stolen, your kid goes missing, your wife/husband/child/parent gets mugged, your house is broken into? God forbid, someone you hold dear is raped, shot, or you have a home invasion where you are hiding in the closet with the cellphone calling who? the fire dept? ur liberal friends? no? the mayor? or maybe just maybe you would want the big bad cop w/the gun to come busting in and save your a##? As for me, I am truly grateful for those officers who run TOWARDS the gunshots, while we all run away from them.

My kids have been taught to call 911, to depend on officers to help keep them safe. They are also taught to give them the utmost respect if pulled over while driving. But I guess respect was not something you were taught, hmmm, doesn't seem like you were taught gratitude either.

So, go ahead, bad mouth all officers, no prob., maybe you should post your name and address so they know to RESPECT YOUR WISHES and NEVER respond to your home for any reason....just to make sure they give you what you want?