Report on Groton City police calls for changes

Groton - An assessment of the city police department by a former state police official recommends hiring a second in command, eliminating a sergeant's position and improving communication within the department.

John F. Bardelli, a former deputy commissioner of public safety, completed his three-month assessment in December. Mayor Marian Galbraith released the report Jan. 24.

Without mentioning specific incidents or cases, the report addresses internal issues that the department has dealt with over the past three years, including accusations of sexual and workplace harassment, unfair discipline, favoritism and racial discrimination, the subject of an ongoing lawsuit.

Bardelli said a number of employees felt there is a communication gap between the chief and the rank-and-file.

The report finds that "administrative disciplines filed against each employee appear to be fair for the offenses sustained and do not appear to be overly harsh or inappropriate," a subject Bardelli investigated after officers expressed concern about how complaints and internal investigations are conducted.

But, he said, officers were almost unanimous in the belief that internal investigations should be conducted by a non-union manager below the rank of chief.

The report recommends hiring a second-in-command with the title of captain or major rather than deputy chief, to establish a potential for promotion.

Chief Bruno Giulini supports the idea.

"I'm 100 percent in favor of it," he said. "I think we need it."

Bardelli also proposed eliminating the detective sergeant position, most recently occupied by Lt. Thomas Forbes, who was assigned to the division when Sgt. Keith Turgeon was reassigned. The position has remained vacant since Forbes died last June.

In Bardelli's recommended organizational chart, the second in command would supervise the two detectives.

"At this stage, it's only a recommendation," said police union president Sgt. Scott Sanford. "But it would eliminate a supervisory position. Contractually, that would have to be negotiated. Hopefully, our good working relationship with the city will allow us resolve whatever differences arise."

Three open patrol officer vacancies should be filled, Bardelli said. And a fifth dispatcher, a part-time person to cover sick, personal and vacation time, should be hired.

"I came away confident," Giulini said of his overall impression of the report. "There's nothing in it that I cannot support, or that won't help make it a better place. It's an excellent mechanism to bring things to light and to move forward. My goal when I came in was to leave it in better shape than it was when I arrived."

Bardelli described Giulini as an honorable man with high moral character.

"For his part, Chief Giulini stated he has an open door policy and any employee is free to see him any time, for any reason," he said.

Bardelli said Giulini has attended and spoken several times recently during roll call and has started holding regular staff meetings. He recommended that Giulini continue those practices.

"This department is staffed with a number of very competent people," Bardelli concluded his report. "Given fair and competent leadership, there is every reason to expect good things in the future."

The mayor did not respond to requests for comment.

c.potter@theday.com