State declines to prosecute Hamden police sergeant accused of striking woman with Christmas tree

The state has elected not to prosecute a Hamden police sergeant who faced one count of disorderly conduct after he was accused of striking a woman with a Christmas tree.

Patrick McCue, 50, appeared in New Haven superior court Tuesday, when the state's attorney's office told presiding Judge Matthew Weiner the alleged victim had withdrawn her complaint to police and had asked that the charge be dropped.

She also moved out of the residence she shared with McCue, the representative from the prosecutor's office told Weiner.

Weiner allowed the state to enter a nolle prosequi for McCue's case, meaning he accepted its decision not to pursue the charge.

Requests for comment were left with McCue Tuesday night via email and text message.

In December, a woman told authorities McCue hit her in the back with an artificial Christmas tree at his Cheshire home, according to a police report, which says McCue told police he merely pushed the tree over after the woman unplugged it during an argument.

A responding officer observed “a small mark in the center of (the woman's) lower back surrounded by some redness,” the report says.

McCue has worked for the Hamden Police Department since 2001, according to his personnel file, which the New Haven Register obtained through a Freedom of Information Request.

He was promoted to detective in 2020 and to sergeant in 2021, the file shows.

There is one record of McCue being charged with breaking agency rules during his long career with the agency. He also has received numerous commendations.

In late 2021, McCue was cited for violating the Hamden Police Code of Conduct as per Sec. 1.14, which describes “using threatening, abusive, or profane language with the intent to incite another employee, regardless of rank involved, but not in public view,” a letter notifying him of the charge says.

The violation came in connection with an off-duty interaction McCue had with a different Hamden police officer.

In Oct. 2021, McCue called the sergeant shortly after midnight, swore at him and threatened to sue him if he did not get promoted, according to an investigative report the town commission from the firm Berchem Moses.

The report describes how, due to a possible misunderstanding, McCue believed the sergeant was interfering with his promotion. The sergeant did not have a role in the promotional process, the report says.

In January 2022, McCue had a counseling session as a result of the incident, according to an employee coaching memorandum.

“It is noted by this Captain that (McCue) maintained a professional and positive attitude during this coaching session,” the memorandum says.

On the other hand, between 2003 and 2014 McCue received at least eight awards from the town for outstanding service, his personnel file shows.

The commendations were for actions that ranged from helping track down a shooter and conducting a felony stop of a suspect in a violent home invasion to helping residents get to safety during an apartment fire.

McCue also received multiple citizens' commendations as well as letters of recognition from department leadership, including for managing hazards during to Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irene.

He volunteered for the search and rescue operation following the Sept. 11 attacks, according to one letter.

McCue remained on paid leave as of Tuesday morning, Mayor Lauren Garrett said. As of Sept. 2021, he had an annual salary of about $100,000, payroll records show.