Date: Fri 12-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-union-Lysaght

Full Text:

Police Commission Stands Behind Lysaght

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Newtown Police Union went before the town's police commission Wednesday

night to ask that Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, be fired. The

commission's response: "Absolutely not."

However, the commission did listen to the union's complaints during the

closed-door meeting and vowed it would do its part to improve conditions

within the department.

Union members have been unhappy with the way they say the chief has run the

department since he arrived a little over a year ago. Recently, the union

voted, 29-1, that it had "no-confidence" in Chief Lysaght. Those results were

presented to the commission.

"I thought it was a very productive meeting. We listened to their concerns,

and we'll take the information and review it with the chief next Tuesday,"

said commission chairman William Meyer.

In the meantime, the commission has set up a union-liaison committee (John

Riley and Carol Mattegat) to work with the union in an effort to improve the

relationship between the union and the administration.

Police union members conducted a secret ballot vote over a three-day period.

The chief was made aware of the results on Friday.

"What it indicates is that 29 people believe [the chief] is not taking us in

the right direction," said union spokesman Scott Ruszczyk, a patrol officer.

"Since we make up about 90 percent of the department, I think the outcome is

relevant."

Union members believe the chief has been ineffective in managing the

department, but they are also unhappy with the way he and the Police

Commission moved in concert to reorganize the department without any

discussions with the rank-and-file officers.

The chief, who gave up his job as captain in the Bristol Police Department to

head Newtown's department in July, 1996, has stated his record speaks for

itself and believes the concerns of the union need to be played out

face-to-face, not in the press.

"I have to continue to conduct myself in a professional manner. If somebody

feels it is important to fire broadsides, I can't let that attitude control

me. I have to play by the rules," he said.

The chief said progress is being made in reforming the department into a law

enforcement organization that will capably deal with the challenges of the

future.

As the chief points out, the union had concerns about the department before he

even arrived for his first day of work last summer. Through Acting Captain

Owen Carney, Chief Lysaght distributed a questionnaire about the department

soon after he was hired. The answers included many of the same concerns now

being discussed. He claims to be addressing those concerns as he goes along.

"But you can't change it on a dime. It takes time, money and cooperation," he

said.

First Selectman Bob Cascella, who said he's been satisfied with the job being

done by the chief, said several closed-door meetings have taken place in an

effort to resolve the union's concerns over the department reorganization.

"I do believe that we will work this out," Mr Cascella said.