Cop faces larceny charge in missing Norwich PBA funds

A police officer has been arrested on a larceny charge for allegedly embezzling funds from the Norwich Police Benevolent Association.

Ryan O’connell, 42, turned himself in to detectives with the Central District Major Crime Squad on Monday and was charged with one count of third-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police.

Following the arrest, the Norwich Police Department issued a statement Wednesday indicating O’connell has been placed on paid administrative leave.

“An internal investigation into the matter is open and active and will determine what administrative actions will follow,” the department said.

According to state police, on Jan. 25, 2022, crime squad detectives were asked to investigate after it was learned that thousands of dollars were missing from the Norwich PBA fund. O’connell at the time was the president of the PBA and later resigned from this position.

State police investigators found that O’connell made 92 personal purchases with PBA funds totaling about $3,168 between March 2019 and December 2021, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

He could not provide proof that he reimbursed the PBA for these transactions, which took place at a variety of merchants, including fast food restaurants, coffee shops, Amazon, clothing stores, gas stations and other businesses, the warrant affidavit said.

O’connell, a 16-year veteran of the Norwich Police Department, was released on a promise to appear following his arrest and is scheduled to be arraigned in Norwich Superior Court on Feb. 27, state police said.