Would-be New London cop sent graphic photos, videos of himself, police say
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In this Oct. 2, 2014 Day file photo, Former New London Police Recruit Justin Beers is sworn in in October by Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio in Council Chambers. Beers resigned after an internal investigation by New London police revealed he had sent sexually explicit photos and videos to several women and violated department policy.
New London — The police department's decision to fire a New London police recruit less than two weeks before his graduation from the state police academy last month was made after an internal police investigation revealed he had sent sexually graphic photos and videos of himself to women he met in person or online, according to newly released documents.
After being confronted by complaints from at least four women, former police recruit Justin Beers admitted he had sent nude photos and videos of himself performing a sexual act to seven or eight women before he was hired and during his time at the police academy where he started in October, according to a police report.
Some of the photos and videos were sent while he was physically at the academy, where at times Beers identified himself as a New London police officer and mentioned things like having sex in a police car or with handcuffs on. In at least one case police said Beers violated policy while in a ride-along with sworn police personnel on active duty.
Acting Police Chief Peter Reichard recommended Beers for termination in a March 12 letter to Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio, citing conduct violating morality and decency, failure to disclose information on background investigation information handbook for employment candidates, failure to meet standards of the department and violations of department policies on social media and electronic communications.
Details of the investigation into Beers' activities are contained in a supervisor's complaint and other internal police documents obtained by The Day through a Freedom of Information request. Beers, who resigned before his March 19 graduation, could not be reached to comment for this report.
The complaints against Beers led to a March 6 interview at police headquarters where Beers was asked a series of questions regarding his cell phone and social media involvement. In addition to having a Facebook page, Beers said he was a member of dating sites that included Plenty of Fish, OK Cupid, Adult Friend Finder, Match.com and Zoosk.com.
When asked why he felt the need to send the photos and videos, Beers told investigators it was to relieve himself of sexual tensions, according to the report.
"Beers admitted that he regrets it afterwards when he sends the pictures and videos, but does help relieve his built up sexual tensions and he knew he should not have done it," according to the report.
Beers asked the women not to share the messages or it could ruin his career.
Police said one of the women who complained to police about a message from Beers claims that on Feb. 9 she received a threatening phone call from a blocked number warning her to drop the investigation and threatening violence. Beers had adamantly denied making any threat or asking anyone else to.
One of the women told police she was upset about the video and texted Beers she was not interested. She shared the texts with police.
"The other half (Beers) insinuated that it was just a demonstration of what she could experience with him," according to the police report. "The text went on stating that she was not interested and to leave her alone."
Police did not find any "evidentiary information of value," on a search of Beers' phone.
The interview with Beers led Lt. Jeffrey Kalolo to conclude in his report that Beers had violated several sections of the department's General Duty Manual and led to a supervisor's complaint. Since some of the photos and videos were sent before he was hired, police also concluded Beers failed to disclose information during his background check.
"False, misleading or omitted evidence is grounds for disqualification from the selection process or termination from service if hired," according to the supervisor's complaint report.
The department has a social media/electronic communication policy that warns officers that communications "can be a liability for law enforcement personnel if not utilized with restraint and a sense of decorum."
Officers are "free to express themselves as private citizens on social/electronic media sites to the degree that their speech does not: negatively affect the public perception of the department," according to the policy.
Officers are also not allowed to post or disseminate photos or videos "that would tend to discredit or reflect unfavorably upon the department, or describe department personnel engaged in conduct that would "bring disrepute."
"Though some say that this type of activity of openly sending pornographic images of oneself may be 'generational' between consenting adults, in private, but as a police officer Beers did not hold himself to a higher standard, but abused his 'position,'" Lt. Kalolo wrote in his report.
Reichard said in an email on Wednesday that a candidate's social media websites are checked from their home computer and/or handheld device during the extensive background investigation. The background investigation includes psychological and polygraph tests.
"Failure to disclose information is grounds for discipline up to termination," Reichard said in an email. "With the way technology is at the present time our investigators are required to conduct a more in-depth electronic search of each (prospective) candidate, looking for whatever may be out in cyber space on that person," Reichard said.
Beers was 23 years old and lived in Groton at the time of his hire. He said at the time he was a former machinist at Electric Boat and has two family members who work in the state Department of Correction.
g.smith@theday.com
Twitter: @SmittyDay