New London police chief’s comments to the City Council

At a special meeting of the New London City Council on Aug. 24, Chief Margaret Ackley addressed the council about allegations of interference in her police department. The following is a transcription of the city's recording of those comments, obtained by The Day through a Freedom of Information request. To listen to the entire audio, go to theday.com.

Good evening. The city of New London Code of Ethics states that the proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people, that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the government structure and that public office not be used for personal gain.

The code admonishes that this system must be free from threat, favoritism, undue influence and all forms of impropriety so that the confidence of the public is not eroded. I applaud the city in their adoption of the Code of Ethics, but I am here to tell you that the city has to do more than just pay lip service to these goals.

Over the past two years, I have consistently informed the various city officials and employees of what I believe to be unethical conduct, discriminatory treatment and improper systematic interference in the police department by Councilor (Michael) Buscetto. Threats, favoritism, undue influence and improprieties. The city has done nothing to address this conduct. They have chosen to tolerate his misconduct, and in doing so, they have asked me to tolerate this conduct.

I have worked tirelessly to put into place safeguards to assure that all employees and citizens are treated fairly. I have kept my mouth shut at Buscetto's public attempts to build support for himself at my expense. I have asked Councilor Buscetto to stop dealing directly with my subordinates in an effort to undermine my authority, and to deal with me or the city manager as all other councilors do, and have public safety meetings so that accurate information can be talked about in a public forum.

At the beginning of the year, due to my ongoing distress over Councilor Buscetto's actions and interference, I requested to retire. I informed the city manager I wished to retire in August of this year. In conversation with the city manager, personnel director and law director's office, I was asked to postpone my retirement until the beginning of 2012 in order to facilitate the transition to the mayor form of government.

The city and I both agreed that an announcement of my retirement nine months prior, or in advance, was not prudent. As with all leadership positions, it is never wise, publicly or internally, to announce retirement too early as it would risk losing my effectiveness as chief. An understanding was reached that the retirement would remain confidential, to be announced after the election in November. The agreement also included an escape clause acknowledging the city manager's belief that depending on the outcome of the election, it was possible that the hostile work environment orchestrated by Councilor Buscetto might change and perhaps I would decide to remain as the chief of police.

In the four months that have followed, Councilor Buscetto's unethical behavior has continued, culminating several weeks ago when I additionally learned that Councilor Buscetto was informed of the agreement I had reached with the city by another city employee and that the councilor immediately commenced telling my subordinates in the police department that I was being pushed out. I also learned at that time that Councilor Buscetto, in a further effort to harm my reputation and effectiveness as a chief, has been making defamatory remarks to members of the police department about me and other respected members of the community.

In so doing, Councilor Buscetto has crossed a line that I cannot ignore. I immediately went to the city manager and informed her of these incidents. I advised her that I am no longer able to effectively lead this department through January in a manner I believe the citizens of New London deserve. The city's failure to address Councilor Buscetto's misconduct is their choice. Today, I make my choice. I will not tolerate it any longer.

As chief, I have accepted full responsibility and fault for any mistakes or errors made by the members of the New London Police Department, even when done in direct contrast to my orders. I have always stood up for the department and individual employees, as I know firsthand that New London has many highly motivated and qualified employees that do stellar work every single day. In affirmation of the good work we have accomplished, the New London Police Department anticipates final accreditation on Sept. 9 of this year.

Nobody ever told me that being the police chief would be easy. I knew it would not. I knew that being a woman police chief would be even more difficult. But over the past two and a half years, I have faced unexpected challenges - challenges orchestrated by a single councilman. I have stood up to those challenges. I have stood strong. I believe I have made a difference in the police department, and I'm proud of the achievements and professionalism the department has made.

But the truth is I am tired. He created an environment of hostility that I am no longer willing to fight alone from the inside. I have voiced a desire to retire as soon as possible. My attorney, Attorney Graves, has provided (city) Attorney Londregan specifics concerning my legal claims surrounding Councilor Buscetto's conduct. Whatever the outcome, I hope the city will put into action the Code of Ethics it has adopted. The citizens of New London and your next police chief deserve nothing less. Thank you.

Editor's note: Councilor Michael Buscetto III, a candidate for mayor, has said he has done nothing improper in his dealing with the police department. The Day has made a request under the Freedom of Information law for the specific legal claims that Chief Ackley's attorney gave to Attorney Thomas Londregan. He has refused to release them. Chief Ackley has also declined to release the specific claims.