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NEWS > 10 May 2007 |
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Corruption case unfolds
SOUTH BEND -- Two handguns identified in a federal police corruption probe have been linked to the shooting of an undercover South Bend police officer three years ago.
Four local men, including one police officer and two former officers, are scheduled to appear today in federal court in Hammond in connection with the corruption case, officials said.
An indictment alleges that the officers used their police connections to conspire with a convicted felon to steal and sell drugs and other items.
During today's hearing, the U.S. attorney's office plans to ask to have the... Read more
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Stamford Advocate - Stamford,C 10 May 2007
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Police fire officer facing sex
A policeman accused of groping a female motorist during a traffic stop and acting inappropriately toward a girl at Norwalk High School was fired yesterday.
Police Chief Harry Rilling fired Ray DeCamillo, citing the former patrolman for conduct unbecoming of an officer, incompetence, failure to conform to the law and other violations of department policy in the two incidents.
DeCamillo was hired by police in September 2004.
"It's been a very difficult time for a lot of people," Rilling said. It's "time to put this behind us and move forward."
Officer William Curwen, Norwalk police union president, said the union will file a grievance with the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations over the firing.
"The union will defend the member who has been discharged and all his labor rights that have been violated," Curwen said.
DeCamillo, 35, was placed on paid administrative leave in November, when he was arrested in the July 5 traffic stop incident. A 20-year-old woman said DeCamillo grabbed her breast and touched her belly-button ring after he stopped her at about 3 a.m.
Norwalk police charged DeCamillo with fourth-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint. He pleaded not guilty in the case, which remains pending in state Superior Court.
In the other incident, reported in November 2005, a 17-year-old girl accused DeCamillo of misconduct of a sexual nature at Norwalk High School, according to police.
DeCamillo was not arrested in the incident and the criminal investigation is closed, Rilling said yesterday. He declined to comment on either the Norwalk High complaint or the traffic stop, saying they will be the subject of the union's appeal and he doesn't want to compromise the integrity of the process.
Disciplining officers is "very difficult" for a chief, Rilling said, but it's necessary when they fail to adhere to the high standards expected of them.
Rilling held disciplinary hearings for DeCamillo last month in the traffic stop and Norwalk High incidents.
The chief cited DeCamillo for two counts each of conduct unbecoming of an officer, violating department rules and incompetence.
Rilling cited DeCamillo for one count each of violating department policy on truthfulness and not conforming to the law.
DeCamillo's termination became effective immediately.
Curwen said he believes the department violated DeCamillo's due process rights and the terms of the police union contract.
In the past, when an officer faced criminal and departmental charges, the department has waited until the criminal case was adjudicated before proceeding with the internal case, Rilling said.
However, he said the case of Officer Russell Ouellette caused the department to rethink the procedure.
Ouellette remains on paid administrative leave more than two years after he was arrested in December 2004 and charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty in the case, which is unresolved.
Because of the length of time the case has been pending, Rilling said the department decided that - when appropriate - it will no longer wait to fire an officer until after his criminal case ends.
There's no guarantee an officer's court case won't drag on for a couple of years, the chief said.
DeCamillo earned $67,325 in gross salary last year, according to the city comptroller's office.
The city has the right to fire a police officer any time it feels there's just cause, said M. Jeffry Spahr, an attorney in the city's law department.
Nothing in the police union contract requires the city to wait for the disposition of an officer's criminal case, he said.
DeCamillo's attorney in his criminal case, William Pelletreau of Norwalk, could not be reached yesterday afternoon but typically doesn't comment on clients.
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