New London― Barbara Neff says she has a sense of humor.

The executive director of the Downtown New London Association and longtime organizer for the city’s annual Sailfest event said she is not bothered by a commemorative Sailfest coin circulating around the city police department emblazoned with the image of a burning Dumpster and the letters BNC, which one police union member said stands for “Barbara Neff Carnival.”

“Immature, ” is one of the words, however, that Neff said came to mind when she saw the image of the coin last week. She said she’s been asking where she might buy one of the coins but has not yet heard back from the police union.

“I think they went through a lot of effort for something this silly. I find it humorous,” Neff said. “If it is a fundraiser to support the police department, the Downtown New London Association would like to buy some of the coins.”

The coin has caught the attention of Police Chief Brian Wright who made it clear this week that the police department as an agency had nothing to do with creation of the coin. He called a meeting with union members to discuss the matter and the fact that one side of the coin says New London Police Department.

The coin was created by police union president Lt. Josh Bergeson, who said they are not for sale or distribution to the public.

Bergeson was a vocal opponent of holding Sailfest this year after a two-year hiatus. Citing staffing concerns and hardships associated with extended work days for officers, the union had called on the city to cancel the three-day event.

The event was held despite those concerns and, according to city officials, was a success with few problems.

Bergeson, responding to an email request from The Day, said the purpose of the coin was to help develop camaraderie among the rank and file.

“None of our officers enjoy working Sailfest. It puts a physical and mental strain on our officers that is unneeded,” Bergeson said. “We made our opposition to it this year and it fell on deaf ears.”

One side of the coin has the Sailfest logo and the other side reads, "The strongest steel is forged in the fire of a dumpster."

“No matter the amount of organization or planning it is a dumpster fire that officers are FORCED to work,” Bergeson said in his email. “But it also creates a bond between officers and makes us stronger not unlike troops that go through boot camp together or deploy together. Hence the meaning of the saying.”

Wright said he planned a discussion with union leaders to “see if we can address this and avoid a similar situation from happening in the future.”

It’s not the first time in recent memory that police have stirred up controversy. T-shirts were circulating at the department late last year with the message “464 Was Done Wrong” following disciplinary action against Lt. Jeffrey Kalolo. The number is a reference to his badge number.

Kalolo was temporarily demoted from lieutenant to sergeant after an internal investigation determined he violated the department’s harassment and discrimination policies in reference to a female officer. The union has a pending complaint over the action with the state labor board. Kalolo has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the chief in which he claims harassment.

Bergeson said the T-shirts were not created by the union but rather an individual officer.

Bergeson indicated he did not expect discipline over the coin matter since it is “protected speech.”

g.smith@theday.com

Editor’s note: This report clarifies that the T-shirts with the words “464 Was Done Wrong” were not created by the New London Police union.