Criticism Of Police Commissioner Off The Mark

To the Editor:

As a former chairman of the Newtown Police Commission, I would like to respond to Wendy Beres’ attack on the integrity of the members of the Police Commission in general and on Chairman James Reilly in particular. The unanimous decision of the Police Commission to terminate Chief Lysaght was made after a considerable amount of deliberation and legal advice. To suggest that the individual members of the commission were on a power trip and had a vendetta against the chief is a grave injustice to five people who took on a difficult job in the interest of the people of Newtown.

Three of the five current members were responsible for hiring Chief Lysaght. I find it hard to believe that they took pleasure in the failure of the chief to measure up to the job. Being personally acquainted with all the current police commissioners, they are all intelligent and competent public servants. They deserve credit rather than condemnation for taking on a difficult assignment in the public interest. Apparently Ms Beres is piqued that the rules of the proceedings did not allow public participation at the special meeting. Most personnel matters are handled privately, but Chief Lysaght exercised his option to have the termination hearings held in an open forum. Under this option the public can attend but not participate in the proceedings. The members of the commission have the legal responsibility to oversee the operations of the Police Department. One of their specific responsibilities is to hire and terminate personnel for just cause after a hearing. Nowhere in Ms Beres’ letter did she question the basis of the decision of the commission. She simply impugned the motives of the commissioners without addressing the facts in the case.

Also, having served with Mr Reilly on the Police Commission, I found him to be a committed individual and without a personal agenda. He had a distinguished career with the Connecticut State Police. The people of Newtown are fortunate to have a person of his caliber and the other four commissioners serving them.

Sincerely yours,

Richard L. Sturdevant

Six Westwood Terrace, Newtown        March 27, 2000