Facing Probe, Cop Retires

Sections

Neighborhoods

Features

NHI Newsletter

Legal Notices

Some Favorite Sites

Government/ Community Links

by Paul Bass | Jan 27, 2012 12:43 pm

(44) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Legal Writes

Paul Bass File Photo A veteran city cop retired Friday amid a department investigation into a video showing him picking up cash from the floor of a Stop & Shop while working an extra-duty job.

The cop, Dave Coppola, eventually returned the cash he is shown picking up in the video.

Coppola declined to comment on the incident, which allegedly took place at the Stop & Shop at 150 Whalley Ave.

“I have nothing to say,” he said when reached by phone. “Why don’t you write what you’re going to write and don’t call me.”

“I have accepted his retirement,” Police Chief Dean Esserman said Friday.

“The department initiated an immediate investigation upon a complaint from Stop & Shop,” Esserman said. He said he cannot comment further on what’s a personnel matter.

State’s Attorney Michael Dearington said Friday that his office has the case “under review.”

Coppola’s decision to retire “will have some influence” on how his office decides to proceed, Dearington said.

A person sympathetic to Coppola, with knowledge of the case, said the officer did nothing wrong.

“I’ve seen the video,” this person said. “He wasn’t stealing money.

“It was a Christmas Eve weekend. He wanted to get home. He never spent the money. He was ready to return to file a report.

“He sees money on the floor ... a couple of hundred bucks ... Picks it up. Asks everyone in the area if it’s their money.

Someone told Coppola that it “may be a kid outside,” but by the time Coppola went looking for him, he’d already left, according to this source.

“He completed his shift. He was going to file a report upon returning from his days off. When he was notified, he returned the next day to return the money to the person it belonged to.”

“Coppola was working security at Stop & Shop. There’s a hundred cameras at Stop & Shop. Everything you do is on video,” so it would make no sense for an officer to take money.

Another person familiar with the case confirmed that account of events, saying the video showed Coppola looking for the money’s owner. The issue would have been whether he properly inventoried and secured the money and reported the incident, according to department procedure.

Reached Friday, Stop & Shop store manager Anne Demchak said she had no knowledge of the incident. She referred comment to Stop & Shop’s loss prevention department.

A hard-working cop, Coppola has been among the department’s top overtime earners over the years, heading the list some years. Click here to read a “Cop of the Week” feature on him. He took home $174,044.90 in 2007. He joined the force in 1988.

He has also gotten into his share of controversy. Click here to read about an encounter he had with the president of the Board of Police Commissioners. Last year Coppola ran for president of the police union. (Arpad Tolnay won that election.) During the campaign, outgoing union President Lou Cavaliere called Coppola, who was openly critical of Cavaliere, a “criminal.” (Read about that here.)

Cavaliere cited—and provided a copy of—a 2005 settlement agreement in which Coppola agreed to pay $300 to the city and serve a 15-day unpaid suspension after failing to account for money collected on an extra-duty job at the old Shaw’s supermarket—the site of the new Stop & Shop where the more recent incident occurred.

Cavaliere also provided a copy of a letter from State’s Attorney Michael Dearington in connection with that case. It read in part: “There is probably cause to believe that Officer Coppola requested and received in excess of two hundred dollars of unauthorized reimbursement.” (Dearington added that “criminal prosecution is not warranted” because of “the amount of money and sanctions available to your department.”)

At the time the Register’s William Kaempffer reported, “Coppola on at least 10 occasions took cash or checks written to cash from contractors, but never submitted the funds to the city. It is policy to turn over the money to the city, which takes an 8 percent administrative fee and withholds state and federal taxes. Coppola had to repay the city $300 for the administrative fees. He also was accused of circumventing regulations by having contractors call him directly when they needed an officer, instead of going through the extra-duty office. One contractor told investigators that Coppola showed up at a building construction site and threatened to arrest someone if a drywall truck unloaded because their sidewalk permit had expired. Coppola then allegedly provided his cell phone number and said the contractor should call him directly when he needs an officer.”

Melissa Bailey contributed reporting to this story.

Comments

posted by: NBM on January 27, 2012 1:10pm

“He took home he took home $174,044.90 in 2007. He joined the force in 1988.”

what does this mean?

[Editor: Oops. Typo. There should be only one “He took home” in that sentence. Fixed now.]

posted by: Observer on January 27, 2012 1:21pm

Sure he was going to return it. He took it home for safe keeping!

posted by: South West on January 27, 2012 1:49pm

Why is some people surprise alaw-enforcement Coppola regarding this incident. A leopard dosen’t change there spots they just adjust them to one’s eye. Don’t forget “Karma”’’‘’. This is one reason things will never change in police departments. When one do bad things they cover it up or try to make reasonable excuses just like East Haven incidents’‘’.It’s a vicious circle in law-enforcement one have to belong to the right team to not get exposed to wrong doings. It’s not like he’s never done this before and got busted… Come on y’all”“”

posted by: NBM on January 27, 2012 2:13pm

wow, so his salary was $174,000 in 2007?

posted by: Onlooker on January 27, 2012 2:13pm

Why Have Cop Of The Week Then Disgrace A Cop Before Proven Innocent or Guilty ?

posted by: Curious on January 27, 2012 2:26pm

Good, fire this ... . Don’t take into account his giving the money back in his sentencing.

He knew the rules, he broke them, he should get fired. It’s not the first time he did this, and he knew how important this way.

If he can’t be trusted, he can not be a cop. Period.

posted by: Edward Francis on January 27, 2012 2:28pm

This will be another big “hit” on the unfunded liability of the pension fund. It’s long overdue to change the formula for retirement..too liberal, too young for retirement…too much overtime…another pension give away…it should be based on the annual salary…not a percentage of the gross pay average…

posted by: Francis Sallatin on January 27, 2012 2:42pm

He made how much?

I apparently went into the wrong field. I don’t know anyone making that kind of money.

posted by: Shrimp Barbie on January 27, 2012 3:29pm

Cop of the week” is the left column
Dirty crooked cop of the week” is the column on the right.
...

posted by: nhteaparty on January 27, 2012 3:32pm

Poor thing. Making only $175k a year I doubt he was able to save up very much for retirement. I hope he can scrape by on the his $100k+ per year in retirement benefits.

Kind of dumb to tear up his ticket on the gravy train but I’m sure he never thought he’d be caught or punished.

posted by: nhteaparty on January 27, 2012 3:35pm

Yeah, Frank, it is really disparaging to look at NH government employee salaries.

http://www.ctsunlight.org/

I wish I had known this when I was 18, I would’ve just got a job with the city of NH and been a nearly retired millionaire by now.

posted by: bjfair on January 27, 2012 3:53pm

Oh my. Another retiree following allegations of misconduct. Likely wanted to spend more time with his family.

posted by: goodone on January 27, 2012 5:13pm

Lets see, and how many IA complaints has he lied in????

posted by: Smartie on January 27, 2012 6:39pm

This guy is not a “blue collar worker” None of us make that, Overtime or not!!!
He drives around in a car we pay for that says honor, integrity,trust!!! JOKE
IF I did what he did, I would be arrested!! Why is it different for him.[...]Thanks for guarding Haven!!!

posted by: Ellis Copeland on January 27, 2012 7:20pm

And the cops can’t seem to grasp why they get no respect. [...]

posted by: Threefifths on January 27, 2012 10:08pm

posted by: nhteaparty on January 27, 2012 3:35pm
Yeah, Frank, it is really disparaging to look at NH government employee salaries

And it is even more disparaging to look at these crooks which the people never complain about.Check this out.

Treasury Department approves huge paydays for execs at firms who received TARP bailout money

Scathing audit: Government approved pay packages worth $5M or more for 49 executives

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/treasury-department-approves-huge-paydays-execs-firms-received-tarp-bailout-money-article-1.1012665

posted by: Renee Sheckfee on January 28, 2012 9:05am

Ellis, You say that as if you were justifying it. Really? I just retired from NHPD in October and worked with so many fantastic people. The bad apples are certainly a very small portion of that force and the remainder do not deserve to be judged as so. I understand we take an oath, but so do educators, coaches, priests… We are all human and make mistakes, sometimes big ones. Negative things are always sensationalized and positive are barely mentioned in the media. Cop of the week? I know at least a dozen a week that deserve that honor. You are entitled to your opinion however, if you would have an open mind and see the good rather than bad, you may become part of the solution as opposed to the problem!

posted by: DarS on January 28, 2012 10:37am

Renee..
Thank you….
So well said..the ones who are quick to point their fingers will always find the bad in any good, especially when there is prejudging from their end.

Unfortunately, when one Cop is labeled as a bad one the entire force is unfairly and arbitrarily labeled as well, which our society seems to thrive on and New Haven!!!
Now @ E Copeland perhaps, you should cease your prejudging and try to be part of the solution in society by not pointing fingers at all Officers who are ethical and do take pride in what they do each day.

Btw ,which is to Protect you and I while putting their own lives on the line.
Shame on you!!!

Renee Hoping all is well-

posted by: Rick on January 28, 2012 10:48am

Well put, Renee!!!

posted by: RK on January 28, 2012 12:25pm

He looks just like Hank from Breaking Bad. Had to do a double take.

posted by: bjfair on January 28, 2012 3:59pm

When one is placed in the position to ENFORCE THE LAW (which includes arrest and prosecution of others) they are expected to OBEY the law they ENFORCE on others.. When one is placed in a position of trust and they lie and steal it cannot be justified by stating “they are only human”. These individuals can destroy lives with the stroke of a pen….and they do so with impunity and the consequence is… retire with a huge pension at the expense of those whose trust they betrayed.

posted by: NB on January 28, 2012 4:50pm

Stop s…ing on this man, he puts in work and that is how he earned his salary. I’m sure there are worse things going on that gets swept under the rug. I say enjoy your retirement, let the rookies get some $$$$ now!!!!!

posted by: Ellis Copeland on January 28, 2012 6:40pm

@Renee, Dars Rick—Stop & Shop did not make a deal out of this because they felt there was nothing wrong. I’m sure their management has much more pressing pursuits. Second, at what point do “a few bad apples” get recognized as the defining element of a culture? In the time I have been sentenced to this godless hell there has been a steady stream of “bad apples” so numerous I’ve lost count. And, yes, those sworn to uphold the law get held to a higher standard…. I’d think that $174,000/year should enable one to be less easily riled. ...

posted by: helo1073 on January 28, 2012 6:49pm

Shame on the new Chief, I thought he was a law and order man, one that demanded accountability from his officers. This guy ... has tarnished the badge and embarrassed the entire NHPD. He should have been brought up on charges like anyone else, convicted and fired without a pension, not allowed to retire,only in New Haven do they reward thieves. the fact that the chief allowed him to retire is a joke, the NHPD internal affairs is a joke. They can still charge him and they should.

posted by: Renee Sheckfee on January 28, 2012 8:44pm

Ellis, In no way am I defending any of these cops. You give me the number of bad apples in comparison to a force of 430+ and I can bet you that the number is 1-2%. And let’s take the amount of new hires, transfers… Into consideration. I made no mention of Stop & Shop’s lack of pursuing the matter and honestly, am glad to see the crooked cops removed. I retired after 20 clean years at far, far less than this pension and know the majority are hard working, driven cops, deserving of credit. And Barbara, really, don’t put specific words in my mouth. I am not justifying or dismissing their behaviors as police officers, I am stating they are human. Did I say ANYWHERE they deserve to stay on the job!? I didn’t think so. You know me well enough and that I’m a straight shooter so please find someone else to try and disparage. Just do not judge all based on a handful. Believe me, we aren’t very sad to see the ones who’ve been doing wrong gone. Some have been deserving, some not. You wouldn’t want the members of the PD to think that way

posted by: Charter revision on January 28, 2012 9:31pm

@francs sallatin,

I know someone who makes more than that for far less work: Reggie Mayo, superintendent of New Haven Public Schools makes $240,000.00 a year not including his car allowance, annuity, expense account and other perks.

posted by: MJ on January 29, 2012 7:55am

Just FYI

A NHPD officer has to work about 90 hours a week to earn 174K

posted by: NHPD on January 29, 2012 1:58pm

The officer did not keep the money. He looked for the owner and left word with the service desk. All captured on surveillance tape. His intent was to put it into property when he returned to the station which does not necessarily happen after an extra duty job. In the meantime another officer identified the owner and Coppola gave the money to that officer who in turn held onto it for several days until he could return it. There is no crime here. Departmental policy issue maybe, crime no.

posted by: Yimski on January 29, 2012 3:39pm

Oh my, 170 000 per year! You’d never know these guys were bringing this type of cash from all the whining we get on the boards from “insider” NHPD posters. In most other professions, you toe the line pretty close when you’re pulling in that kind of money (not calling out sick en masse when budget cuts hit close to home).

posted by: Whatever on January 29, 2012 3:50pm

NHPD poster,

If this guy was pulling down $175k per year, he should be able to spare a few minutes and get the cash to the police station, after standing around Stop and Shop and BS’ing with other cops and patrons…excuse me, I mean “working” his extra-duty job, like most of the rest of you.

posted by: Really NHPD? on January 29, 2012 4:24pm

@ NHPD
... In light of all the negative incidents that have gone on in that building over that past few years do you really expect me (or anyone else) to believe Coppola was trying to return the money?
I guess Billy White was gonna return the money too?
Coppola, like every other New Haven Police Recruit, (myself included), were told what was proper and correct procedures to handle ANY found property, especially MONEY. You DO NOT pick it up and bring it home, regardless of whether extra duty shift ended. If Coppola had any intentions of returning it or at the very least turning it into the Property Room he would have pulled a case number,written a lengthy but meaningless report and would have added hours to his extra duty ticket. Dave does’nt work for nothing!!!
My guess is that he had another OT gig right after his extra duty job and didn’t want to have to cancel it for a few measly hours of extra duty or he was just gonna keep it.
....

posted by: bjfair on January 29, 2012 4:25pm

and he retired why? to spend more time with his family?

posted by: Really NHPD? on January 29, 2012 7:07pm

@ bjfair
We heard you the first time and the answer is “because he could”.
I WILL NOT make excuses for the crimes committed by certain people and if you have a better method of testing and hiring practices for police officers and to find out what they are going to do once in that position I, along with every other police agency in this country, would love to hear it. Because then it could be used for hiring practices in every other profession as well.
I am all for a “Bad Boy” clause with regards to pensions but you paint a broad brush when it comes to police.

posted by: Renee Sheckfee on January 29, 2012 8:48pm

Barbara obviously has a disdain for most cops. What she doesn’t understand is that even if a few crooks slip through the cracks on the PD, its not going to stop the lack of respect that inner city kids have for life. I’ve said it before at public forums, respect, values and love start in the HOME. The police, teachers and others will not raise your children for you. It’s NOT our job. Why are shootings and murders so prevalent in our large cities? We all know drugs are everywhere so there must be a reasonable explanation, right? Guess no matter how well you raise ‘em, some turn out bad…. Kinda like cops turned crooks

posted by: DKR on January 29, 2012 10:16pm

@renee,..well said on your last post,..direct and to the point,...and i agree 100%,..police,..teachers,...school administrators,..firefighters are not put in their positions to be PARENTS,...as you said that should be done in the home,...but it’s amazing how the quick the finger gets pointed at us when things go bad with some of these kids,..not enough programs,..no father,but we all know the story when it’s a homicide involved,..“he was a god kid just turning his life around”,..how many times have we heard that,...i had fear when i was growing up,..never needed programs,..was always home when my parents told me what time to be,..they always knew where i was,..and if i screwed up,..i got mt a$$ beat..but again,..as you said before renee,..there are bad apples in EVERY profession and every walk of life,..but most people seem to forget that when it’s a police officer who is the bad apple….

posted by: bjfair on January 30, 2012 9:19am

For the record…I have great disdain for CORRUPT cops. I freely admit that. I hold police at a higher standard because they have awesome power to destroy lives with the writing of a false report. They also assault, maim and kill with little consequence. If we were talking about ONE bad apple or a MISTAKE one made then I would agree he slipped thru the cracks.When you have many it’s no longer about a crack. It’s about a culture. Now make sure you read the rest….I ALSO LOVE AND RESPECT MOST COPS. COPS WHO HAVE EARNED IT BY BEING RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS , DON’T BREAK THE LAW AND ARE ON THE JOB TO PROTECT AND SERVE.I had to put that in caps because SOME people always want to turn any comments I make about cops into my disdain for the corrupt FEW. I must say it is an excellent way to distract from the topic of the article. Again the article is not about me or parenting or the youth’s lack of respect for life. It’s about a cop who took money and when an investigation began he retired.Finally I’m curious. Are you saying these crooked and disrespectful cops did not get the proper training in the home?

posted by: Renee Sheckfee on January 30, 2012 9:52am

No Barbara, I’m saying that regardless of ones upbringing or background, some people can be influenced by the power they hold. Very few as you noted. When the entire force is lumped in with the very small percentage, it doesn’t make Ellis’ statements valid. Every time a corrupt cop makes the rest of us look bad, we are glad to see them go. All I’m suggesting is an open mind from the community. Just as you would expect from the police

posted by: Anthony G. IV on January 30, 2012 10:21am

Give credit where credit is due - and Mrs.Fair has a records room full of credits and a file cabinet of kudos.This cop should be imprisoned.A total revoke of any pension for his relentless criminal behavior.Every one who walked through the doors at Stop nCop was tagged a hoodlum,unless you were one of them and a relative.

posted by: bjfair on January 30, 2012 10:45am

@Renee: in total agreement. :)

posted by: Ben Berkowitz on January 30, 2012 6:26pm

This is bull…!

Fire him before he can retire so we don’t have to pay his pension.
Coppola, what made you so entitled to treat the rest of us and our tax dollars like this?

Same question for any other public employee who has a habit of forgetting who they serve.

posted by: Curious on January 30, 2012 9:10pm

I sincerely hope that this is Chief Esserman’s way of getting rid of an at least slightly ... cop. If this guy is getting caught doing this, who knows what else he is not getting caught for.

Maybe Esserman let him retire with pension so the guy doesn’t put up a fight and goes quietly. Then we end up paying his pension, but maybe that $170k can go to hiring two new recruits to work 45 hours each, instead of 90 hours to pad one ... cop’s retirement account.

posted by: Gene Debs on January 30, 2012 10:25pm

I’m not sure the tone is right for this, but there well be a retirement gathering for Dave at Anthony’s Ocean View on Feb. 22 starting at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and will be available at the door.

posted by: ? on January 30, 2012 11:56pm

Why are cops allowed to retire out from under stuff like this? Shouldn’t these cases be resolved before these guys get to retire on their fat pensions?

posted by: Mister Jones on January 31, 2012 11:27am

Say what you will about Dave Coppola and his prior scrapes, but it’s not fair to compare him to Billy White, especially not for this case where it sure seems like he made sure the money got back to the rightful owner. Informally, quickly, without a lot of red tape.

If it wasn’t Coppola, his actions might even be trumpeted as an example of community policing. Maybe he should have called a reporter for a Christmas Eve ride-along.

New Haven Independent

New Haven Independent Login Form