Details of chief’s paid leave revealed
Documents: Longtime top cop accused of interfering with internal investigation
WETHERSFIELD — Longtime Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran was placed on paid administrative leave late last year after allegedly interfering in an internal investigation, according to documents obtained by the Courant through a Freedom of Information Act request.
According to the documents, the investigation began after Wethersfield Town Manager Gary Evans received an anonymous tip on May 4 that two officers, sergeants Oscar Rivera and Jennie Rivera, allegedly committed “abuse of time.”
The complaint also alleged that Cetran was aware of the issue but did not address it.
In a memo to Cetran, Evans
wrote that “I specifically asked you to stay out of the process due to the potential conflict of interest in the outcome.”
Evans also asked the chief not to interfere in or overturn any discipline that he decided on through the collective bargaining agreement with the police union.
“You agreed that it was my discipline, not yours and you would not interfere. Unfortunately, you decided to disregard these conversations and issued discipline on November 19, 2020 for Jennie Rivera different than what I had already sent to her and the union on November 13, 2020.”
In the memo, sent Nov. 23, Evans also reminded Cetran that on Aug. 6 he sent another memo to the chief ordering him not to make any personnel decisions without advising him because of ongoing issues in the department.
“I am aware of two additional Internal Affairs (IA) investigations regarding other officers that are being completed. I have not acted on this with the hope that you would eventually bring it to my attention,” Evans said. “However, it is obvious to me that, not only are you summarily dismissing my discipline for the Riveras, you are disregarding a direct order relating to personnel actions. This is unacceptable insubordination and cannot continue.
“Therefore, effective November 23, 2020, I amplacing you on paid administrative leave pending further review of this situation and consideration of possible disciplinary action.”
A week later Cetran responded in writing to Evans saying in part, “I have been employed as a police officer in Wethersfield for 47 years and have been the Chief for 18 years. There is virtually no valid reason why I cannot continue to perform myduties and serve the Town. As Town officials we have a responsibility to act in the Town’s best interest. It is not in the best interest of the Town to have an experienced, well-thought of police chief not doing his job. There is no reason to believe I am not fully capable to conduct the day-to-day activities as Chief of Police.”
Cetran went on to say that “I believed the level of discipline you imposed was unjust and could be conceived to be discriminatory but was willing to comply with your order against my honest beliefs. You should inform Attorney Slater and the Town Council that I asked you to ask the Union to waive step one of the grievance procedure so I could legally comply with your order,” Cetran said in the written response. “The Union refused, placing me in the position of violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Town Charter. I could comply with an unfair order but I was prohibited from obeying an unlawful order and could not be dishonest in exercising my duties. I know you cannot circumvent the Town Charter or the Union Contract by issuing orders.”
Evans said that Jennie Rivera received a 4-week suspension and temporary re-assignment of position which she and her union are contesting., and that Oscar Rivera received a 2-day suspension which he and the union accepted.
Asked about the nature of the allegations, Evans said that since Jennie Rivera’s case is a pending matter that he was limited on what can be said.
“However, generally, J[ennie]. Rivera was determined to have misrepresented actual time worked, which includes violation of various WPDpolicies. O[scar] Rivera’s was for failing to adhere to division policy and procedures related to proper record keeping and failing to follow proper chain of command,” Evans said in a written response.
Cetran returned to work in mid-January.
Evans said in an email Tuesday that Cetran submitted a letter of retirement to the Town Council on Feb. 6 and that he would be staying on through the budget process to allow the town time to hire a new chief.
“Chief Cetran has provided more than 47 years of service to Wethersfield, with 18 years as the chief. He should be recognized, commended and thanked for his service to this community,” Evans said.