Police union moves to oust councilman

FRED MUSANTE, Editor July 13, 2006

The Stratford police union this week leveled misconduct charges against Councilman Alvin O'Neal (D-2), who earlier this year accused a police officer of misconduct and brutality. The union also asked the Town Council to remove O'Neal from office.


The inflammatory charges, just days before a scheduled protest rally against alleged unfair treatment of minorities by police, may further strain relations between the town's police officers and African-American residents in the South End.

One of the officers who presented the union's complaint against O'Neal Monday evening, Ulysses Munoz, is a member of a new police unit in the South End that was formed with the hope that it would restore residents' confidence in the police.

The union representatives also said O'Neal was involved in a road rage incident on May 1 in which he allegedly intimidated and verbally abused an elderly resident, John Tabak, 84, of Flora Drive. Tabak reported it to police last week.

O'Neal said the new charge is a slanderous fabrication. "They are doing everything in their power to discredit me," he said.

Town Council Chairman James Feehan (R-9) refused to allow any discussion of the matter, referring it to Town Attorney Richard Buturla because of a question over whether the council has the authority to take any action against O'Neal.

The police union cited several sections of the Town Charter prohibiting council members from interfering with administrative officials in their official duties, and authorizing the council to remove a member from office for a violation.

However, those sections do not appear in the new charter voters adopted in the 2003 election, which rewrote the sections related to the Town Council to accommodate the powers of the newly created office of mayor.

Feehan also cautioned the other council members not to make any statements on the matter, to avoid the appearance of bias in case the complaint does come before them for a decision.

O'Neal accused
O'Neal was arrested on charges of interfering with a police officer and breach of peace on March 21 in a tense, racially charged incident at the corner of Woodend Road and Main Street, when he intervened while Police Cpl. David Gugliotti was attempting to arrest a teenage girl. Gugliotti is white, O'Neal and the girl are black.

O'Neal made a citizen complaint against Gugliotti, claiming the officer punched him and the girl and cursed at him. However, a police department internal affairs investigation ruled that conflicting eyewitness accounts of the incident provided insufficient evidence to support O'Neal's complaint.

Munoz and Police Officer Carlos Castro, both members of the police union's executive board, charged that O'Neal "grossly and repeatedly violated the town charter" by interfering with Gugliotti's arrest.

Regarding the road rage allegation, Munoz, Castro and Police Officer Shawn Farmer, the union president, said they did not know why Tabak waited more than two months to report O'Neal's alleged outburst.

Tabak told police he stopped on Church Street, a narrow, one-way lane in Stratford Center, waiting for another motorist to back into a parking space. He said a driver in a vehicle behind him began blaring his horn impatiently, angrily insisting he move.

Tabak said when he proceeded to the stop light at Main Street, the driver, whom he identified as O'Neal, got out, approached his vehicle in a manner Tabak described as menacing, and shouted repeatedly, "Do you know who I am?" at the elderly man. Tabak reported he was frightened and locked his car doors.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Tabak said he didn't decide to report the incident until he read news reports about O'Neal's plans for the rally at Town Hall.

Tabak told the Star he is angry with the police union for using his report for political purposes. He said he only intended to give police information to use in O'Neal's trial on the interfering charge, and now that he was used as a pawn he would never file a report again.

In response to O'Neal's counter-accusation that Tabak's charge is false, Farmer replied, "Based on his previous statements and actions, this is just what we'd expect from him."

The three police officers scoffed that they had better things to do than invent false charges against O'Neal.

Officer reprimanded
However, the officers now have to field problems of their own. Earlier on Monday, Police Chief Michael Imbro reprimanded an unidentified officer on the order of visibly angry Mayor James R. Miron for harassing Marcia Mitchell-Davis, the mother of the girl O'Neal defended on March 21.

According to O'Neal - and confirmed by Miron - the police officer appeared Monday morning at Mitchell-Davis' Caribbean Delights restaurant at Woodend and Main and ordered her to remove sandwich signs from the sidewalk.

Miron said the signs violate the town's zoning regulations, but police officers normally do not enforce zoning rules.

"How does it look?" Miron asked.

It is the second time police were accused of harassing Mitchell-Davis. Shortly after the March 21 incident, while Gugliotti was on administrative leave pending the internal affairs investigation, Mitchell-Davis said she saw Gugliotti and another officer, Sean Martinez, drive past her restaurant with a video camera.

That allegation was dismissed, along with the other charges against Gugliotti. Imbro said Martinez was on patrol in another part of town when the alleged video drive-by took place.

Mitchell-Davis' daughter, now 15, faces charges in juvenile court of assaulting a police officer, assault in the third degree and breach of peace.

O'Neal was scheduled for a pre-trial court appearance in Bridgeport Monday, but his case was continued until next week.

Rally on Saturday

O'Neal appeared with Miron and an NAACP representative, Wayne Winston, last Thursday to announce that the rally will take place Saturday, July 15, to give town officials time to prepare for traffic and crowd control.

The rally, which will feature state NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile as a speaker, previously was scheduled for last Saturday.

O'Neal said the rally will focus on resolving the racial conflict, not on the alleged police brutality - Miron, in fact, announced he also will be a speaker - but that was before the police union raised the new controversy.

Miron has been supportive of the police and said in an interview last week that the officers feel they have been unfairly attacked in news media reports and under-appreciated.

But the mayor, normally even-tempered and cheerful, was visibly angry with the union officials Monday.

"It's offensive to me that the Stratford police union would take this action," he said before cutting reporters' questions short and storming away.

Miron noted that O'Neal has not been charged with a crime related to Tabak's allegation, and he should be presumed innocent if he were.

New charges by the Stratford police union against District 2 Councilman Alvin O'Neal and a demand that he be removed from office were referred to the town attorney this week along with the question of where some key sections of the Town Charter went.

The police union cited Sections 2.2.14, 2.2.15 and 2.1.4 in its complaint against O'Neal, which prohibit councilmen from interfering with town officials, including police officers, in their official duties, and authorizing the council to remove a violator from office.

Councilmen have no authority to order an administrative official to do something, but they might threaten a budget cut that eliminates the official's job, which is why the provision was there.

When the councilmen looked up the specific sections in their official Town Charter booklets, they weren't there.

That is only one of the questions that have landed in the lap of Town Attorney Richard Buturla, a former council chairman.

Buturla said beside the mystery of the missing charter sections, he must determine what powers the Town Council actually has.

The best explanation at this point is that the sections were inadvertently omitted when Section 2, defining the powers of the Town Council, were rewritten in the last charter revision, adopted by the voters in a referendum in the 2003 election.

Council Chairman James Feehan (R-9) said he would soon propose an ordinance to create a new Charter Revision Commission to address numerous technicalities and conflicts between the new powers of the mayor and the council.

A new Charter Revision Commission could reinstate the missing sections. It could also rewrite town history from 2005, when the campaign for the town's first mayor took place, although Feehan said that isn't his intention.

Buturla said the more pertinent question he must answer includes whether the new charter includes any prohibition against a councilman using his office to influence the conduct of a member of the administration in his duties.

He said the town's Ethics Code is too narrow in scope to apply in such a case.

Beyond the question of what the charter says, Buturla said he must determine if any state statutes apply and override the Town Charter.

Lastly, he said he must see if there is any legal case law that affects the situation.

O'Neal was arrested on March 21 for interfering with a police officer, Cpl. David Gugliotti, while he was arresting a teenage girl.

Following his arrest, O'Neal filed a citizen complaint alleging that Gugliotti had punched him and swore at him, and used unnecessary force while arresting the girl.

When a Police Department Internal Affairs investigation ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the complaint, police union leaders called for O'Neal's removal from the council, and on Monday they made formal charges against him.




©Stratford Star 2006

Town Fights Racial Tension

Town Fights Racial Tension
Peaceful Rally Addresses Police Incident As White Supremacists Back Off Threats
July 16, 2006
By FRANCES GRANDY TAYLOR, Courant Staff Writer

STRATFORD -- An anti-racism rally was held peacefully at town hall Saturday despite fears of disruption by a hate group.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the plaza at noon for a rally sponsored by the state conference of the NAACP that was called in response to complaints by black residents in Stratford's South End of police brutality and harassment.

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In the days leading up to the rally, a white supremacist group left leaflets on lawns in the neighborhood saying there would be a counter-protest on Saturday by Connecticut skinheads, according to press reports. Groups called Connecticut State Skinheads and Connecticut White Wolves sent e-mails to the Connecticut Post vowing to make an appearance at the rally.

Instead, a mixed crowd of black and white residents applauded remarks by Stratford Mayor James R. Miron and local church leaders. Stratford police were on the plaza.

Racial tension has simmered in the town since the March 21 arrest of town Councilman Alvin O'Neal following a confrontation with a Stratford police officer. O'Neal, who is black, was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police after he allegedly interceded as Officer David Gugliotti struggled with 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell outside a South End restaurant owned by her mother.

The girl, who has been charged with assault, allegedly struck the officer when he intervened to stop a fight between girls on the street near the restaurant. O'Neal and the girl's family have claimed that they saw the officer strike the girl in the face.

"People say there is no racism in Stratford," said Sen. Edwin Gomes, D-Bridgeport. "There is racism, just like there is racism everywhere, and it should not be tolerated whether it is 1 percent or 99 percent." Gomes said police officers should respect the people they are supposed to serve.

Miron said the rally is good only if there is a plan for what comes afterward. "We need to know what we need to do to move forward from today," said Miron, who also praised the city's police officers.

The mayor said bringing complaints against officers would be streamlined, that video cameras were being placed in patrol cars, and there will be cultural sensitivity training for town employees. "Stratford is no different than any other community - race is an issue that affects us, and we have to work on that. The issues that I hear about from everybody know no racial or cultural bounds."

Marcia Mitchell-Davis, Titasheen's mother, called for justice for her daughter, saying she believes the girl, who has an upcoming court appearance, has been wrongly charged for defending herself.

"We have some bad officers who need to be rooted out," Davis said. "I think things will change in Stratford; no one should forsake Stratford. I'm sure that the mayor and the [police] chief will work" to make positive change, she said.

Easter Bell, a resident of Stratford for 21 years, said there is prejudice in Stratford, particularly in racial profiling of drivers. "It's time for Stratford to have a change. If you live here, you pay the same taxes as everyone else, and you should get the same treatment."

Contact Frances Grandy Taylor at ftaylor@courant.com.
_________________

Town Fights Racial Tension
Peaceful Rally Addresses Police Incident As White Supremacists Back Off Threats
July 16, 2006
By FRANCES GRANDY TAYLOR, Courant Staff Writer

STRATFORD -- An anti-racism rally was held peacefully at town hall Saturday despite fears of disruption by a hate group.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the plaza at noon for a rally sponsored by the state conference of the NAACP that was called in response to complaints by black residents in Stratford's South End of police brutality and harassment.

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SPONSORED LINKS
In the days leading up to the rally, a white supremacist group left leaflets on lawns in the neighborhood saying there would be a counter-protest on Saturday by Connecticut skinheads, according to press reports. Groups called Connecticut State Skinheads and Connecticut White Wolves sent e-mails to the Connecticut Post vowing to make an appearance at the rally.

Instead, a mixed crowd of black and white residents applauded remarks by Stratford Mayor James R. Miron and local church leaders. Stratford police were on the plaza.

Racial tension has simmered in the town since the March 21 arrest of town Councilman Alvin O'Neal following a confrontation with a Stratford police officer. O'Neal, who is black, was charged with breach of peace and interfering with police after he allegedly interceded as Officer David Gugliotti struggled with 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell outside a South End restaurant owned by her mother.

The girl, who has been charged with assault, allegedly struck the officer when he intervened to stop a fight between girls on the street near the restaurant. O'Neal and the girl's family have claimed that they saw the officer strike the girl in the face.

"People say there is no racism in Stratford," said Sen. Edwin Gomes, D-Bridgeport. "There is racism, just like there is racism everywhere, and it should not be tolerated whether it is 1 percent or 99 percent." Gomes said police officers should respect the people they are supposed to serve.

Miron said the rally is good only if there is a plan for what comes afterward. "We need to know what we need to do to move forward from today," said Miron, who also praised the city's police officers.

The mayor said bringing complaints against officers would be streamlined, that video cameras were being placed in patrol cars, and there will be cultural sensitivity training for town employees. "Stratford is no different than any other community - race is an issue that affects us, and we have to work on that. The issues that I hear about from everybody know no racial or cultural bounds."

Marcia Mitchell-Davis, Titasheen's mother, called for justice for her daughter, saying she believes the girl, who has an upcoming court appearance, has been wrongly charged for defending herself.

"We have some bad officers who need to be rooted out," Davis said. "I think things will change in Stratford; no one should forsake Stratford. I'm sure that the mayor and the [police] chief will work" to make positive change, she said.

Easter Bell, a resident of Stratford for 21 years, said there is prejudice in Stratford, particularly in racial profiling of drivers. "It's time for Stratford to have a change. If you live here, you pay the same taxes as everyone else, and you should get the same treatment."

500 City Employees Ordered to MultiCulti Re-education

(When will folks grow a spine and simply refuse en masse to submit to this totalitarian tactic?)

Stratford diversity training starting

The first in a series of cultural diversity training sessions for town employees kicks off next Thursday, with top town officials — including Mayor James R. Miron, Police Chief Michael Imbro and Fire Chief Ron Nattrass — among 25 department heads and supervisors expected to attend.

The sessions, planned for all of Stratford's 500 employees over the next year, are being held in response to simmering racial tensions in the town's South End, sparked by a March 21 altercation that led to complaints of racism and police brutality.

It also prompted an anti-racism rally in front of Town Hall last month attended by nearly 400 people, and could lead to probes by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.

The initial daylong session at Homewood Suites in Stratford comes five months after Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, were arrested during a melee that erupted outside a Woodend Road storefront in the South End, a largely minority community.

O'Neal and Mitchell contend that Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force in making the arrests.

While Gugliotti was exonerated after an internal affairs investigation by police,
Miron quickly announced all town employees would be ordered to attend cultural diversity training sessions, including the 100-member Police Department. The mayor said that while he doesn't believe there is any major racial problem in Stratford, "I'm sure we have employees who can benefit from the training."

Stratford diversity training starting

RICHARD WEIZEL
Connecticut Post Online (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
August 18, 2006


STRATFORD -- The first in a series of cultural diversity training sessions for town employees kicks off next Thursday, with top town officials -- including Mayor James R. Miron, Police Chief Michael Imbro and Fire Chief Ron Nattrass -- among 25 department heads and supervisors expected to attend.

The sessions, planned for all of Stratford's 500 employees over the next year, are being held in response to simmering racial tensions in the town's South End, sparked by a March 21 altercation that led to complaints of racism and police brutality.

It also prompted an anti-racism rally in front of Town Hall last month attended by nearly 400 people, and could lead to probes by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.

"Obviously, you have to start somewhere, and this initiative is very important to help make the government closer and more accountable to the people," Miron said Thursday.

The initial daylong session at Homewood Suites in Stratford comes five months after Councilman Alvin O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, were arrested during a melee that erupted outside a Woodend Road storefront in the South End, a largely minority community.

O'Neal and Mitchell contend that Officer David Gugliotti, who is white, used excessive force in making the arrests.

While Gugliotti was exonerated after an internal affairs investigation by police, Miron quickly announced all town employees would be ordered to attend cultural diversity training sessions, including the 100-member Police Department. The mayor said that while he doesn't believe there is any major racial problem in Stratford, "I'm sure we have employees who can benefit from the training."

But some officials disagree.

"I haven't changed my stance and will not attend sessions that are an insult to town employees, particularly the Police Department," said Republican Registrar of Voters Louis DeCilo. "This is just political correctness."

Police Union President Shawn Farmer reiterated Thursday that he and union leaders believe the training is not needed and is a waste of taxpayer money. "As part of state mandates, we take diversity training sessions, so this is not something we need," Farmer said. Meanwhile, an informal survey of the region found no other towns or cities mandate cultural diversity training for all its municipal employees.

Officer sues Stratford over suspension

ahremailtorweizel@ctpost.comrweizel@ctpost.com/a (RICHARD WEIZEL)
The Connecticut Post
STRATFORD — A police officer whose March arrests of Town Council Minority Leader Alvin O'Neal and a 15-year-old girl sparked accusations of police brutality and racism plans to sue the Town Council, Mayor James R. Miron and Police Chief Michael Imbro.

Officer David Gugliotti on Monday filed a notice of intent to sue with the Town Clerk's Office over being placed on a 60-day administrative leave, saying it violated both the police union's collective-bargaining agreement and his civil rights.

After arresting O'Neal, D-2, and 15-year-old Titasheen Mitchell, both black, during a fight that erupted between two others girls March 21 in the South End, Gugliotti, who is white, was placed on paid "administrative leave" the following day by the mayor.

Both O'Neal and Titasheen's mother, Marcia Mitchell-Davis, claimed Gugliotti used excessive force and foul language making the arrests.

After a 60-day internal affairs investigation by the Police Department, it was determined there was "insubstantial evidence and conflicting accounts by eyewitnesses" to find wrongdoing, and Gugliotti was reinstated by the mayor.

But according to Gugliotti's lawyers, from the Quinn Law Firm in Milford, they will seek unspecified damages against the town for "failing to give Corporal Gugliotti hearings to determine just cause or any cause to continue his discipline within 10 days," in accordance with the police union contract.

The intent to sue also maintains the mayor tried to influence the outcome against Gugliotti.

"During the internal affairs investigation, the mayor negligently attempted to influence the outcome of the investigations in favor of Mr. O'Neal, including the holding of a 'private' meeting with the two police officers expected to be questioned regarding their observations" of the altercations and arrests.

"Despite repeated requests, the mayor failed to communicate in any way with Gugliotti and prevented him and his legal counsel from participating in the 'private' meetings,' " the letter states.

The town also allowed Gugliotti to be "publicly ridiculed by improperly releasing certain information purportedly from the personnel files" of the officer, involving previous disciplinary actions against him by the Police Department, the officer's lawyers say.

Because of the discipline, the lawsuit notice contends, "Gugliotti and [his wife] Karen Gugliotti have suffered headaches, insomnia, stress-related vertigo, weight gain, anxiety, nervousness, professional and family embarrassment, marital stress, damaged reputations," and damage to their "integrity and careers."

Miron denied violating Gugliotti's civil rights or the union contract.

"I've always acted in accordance with the law and in good faith," the mayor said Monday. "Officer Gugliotti certainly has a right to file a lawsuit, and it will be decided in court."

Imbro and O'Neal could not be reached for comment.

Mitchell-Davis, however, said despite the internal affairs findings "that doesn't mean Gugliotti didn't do anything wrong. They just said there was not enough evidence, which I still believe is wrong.

"But right now I'm more concerned with my daughter because she's still facing charges of interfering with a police officer," Mitchell-Davis said. She said an offer of probation was recently made by Juvenile Court prosecutors and the girl's family is considering that.

However, she added, "Titasheen didn't do anything wrong."

Meanwhile, both Titasheen and O'Neal were interviewed by the FBI, which has also interviewed Stratford police officers, including Gugliotti.

FBI spokesman Ron Barndollar has confirmed witnesses have been interviewed by his agency, including Titasheen, but has declined further comment.

The arrests and subsequent fallout sparked an anti-racism rally in July that drew nearly 400 people to Town Hall. Meanwhile, the event provoked threats from racist groups who distributed literature and defaced dollar bills in the South End urging people to "kill niggers."