Ganim and Police Union Say Chief Gaudett Violated His Own Orders
(BRIDGEPORT) Bridgeport mayoral candidate Joe Ganim and president of the city’s police union Sargent Charles Paris, called on Chief of Police Joseph Gaudett, Jr. to comply with his own policies and not conduct political activities to influence the upcoming election.
On Monday August 17th, Gaudett, in full uniform, accompanied Mayor Finch to what a flyer issued by the Bill Finch for Mayor Campaign billed as “Residents Dinner” for those living in the Bridgeport Towers.(Attachment #1) Not only was Gaudett visibly in attendance at this event, he also addressed the crowd on various issues. Ganim, who was in the neighborhood that evening, personally witnessed Gaudett leaving the apartment complex.
The problem is that just last month, Gaudett expressly prohibited these types of activities for officers in the BPTPD. On July 8th, Gaudett issued Personnel Order 15-0033, which expressly states that…
No member of the {Police} Department may use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering or effecting [sic] the result of an election or a nomination for office." (Attachment #2)
According to a highlighted note at the bottom the order, these instructions were to be read at the department’s line-up for five consecutive days.
Paris, a 22-year veteran of the BPTPD and president of the 365-member Bridgeport Police Union Local-1159, was troubled to learn of the chief’s willful disregard for the very policies he requires members of the department to follow.
“I find it very disturbing that the chief puts a memo out and then violates his own policy,” says Paris. ”Any other member of this department would have been immediately disciplined…and possibly even suspended…for committing such a flagrant violation of this order.”
Ganim has written a letter to the city’s seven-member Police Commission requesting they look into Gaudett’s actions further.
“I ask the members of the Commission to please investigate this matter,” Ganim’s letter reads. “If it proves to be true that Chief Gaudett did indeed act in his official capacity as a department head to participate in an event that was clearly political and non-governmental in nature, I would request the board take whatever action it deems necessary and prudent.”
