Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-excessive-force

Full Text:

Police Investigate `Excessive Force' Charge

Police are conducting an internal affairs investigation into a complaint

lodged by a local man who alleges police acted unprofessionally and used

excessive force during a recent incident.

Police Chief James Lysaght, Jr, said Lieutenant Owen Carney is conducting the

probe into the allegations.

Resident Thomas Harrington, 31, of Surrey Trail, who is a correction officer

at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, filed the complaint

against Sergeant Martin Pytko, and patrol officers Clayton Brown, Aaron

Bahamonde, and Patricia Sperling concerning a November 11 child custody

incident.

Mr Harrington alleges that after a November 11 drop-off of his five-year-old

son to his son's natural mother didn't occur as planned, police acted

unprofessionally and used excessive force.

"They were being too aggressive for the situation," Mr Harrington said.

Mr Harrington stated his objections about police behavior in the complaint

filed November 14.

Mr Harrington alleges that: Sgt Pykto chased him out into the parking lot of

the police station and acted in a threatening manner; that Officer Bahamonde

shoved his wife against a police car; and that Officers Brown and Sperling

refused to provide their identities and badge numbers when asked.

Chief Lysaght said he cannot comment on Mr Harrington's complaint because it

is the subject of a continuing investigation.

Chief Lysaght said that after the internal affairs investigation is complete,

he will review it and take action, if necessary.

The Newtown police could call in another law enforcement agency to investigate

the complaint, if it's deemed necessary, he said.

If Mr Harrington is unsatisfied with the results of the internal investigation

into his complaint, he could appeal it to the Police Commission, the chief

said.