Greenwich Police Captain Fired

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich police captain accused of putting up fake political signs in town a couple of weeks before Election Day last year has been fired, Chief of Police James Heavey confirmed Tuesday in an email to Patch. Heavey said the decision to fire Capt. Mark Kordick, who was placed on paid administrative leave in late October, came "after much consideration."

Heavey said Kordick's termination, which is effective Friday, was the result of "several separate incidents," and the decision was "deemed to be in the best interests" of the department and the town. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Objectivity and impartiality are some of the key values in which this department does, and must, operate," Heavey said in a statement. "After considering the totality of Captain Kordick's deportment and actions in several incidents and the importance of maintaining fair and consistent discipline, I came to the difficult conclusion that Captain Kordick would be unable to continue as a Greenwich Police captain."

According to Lt. Mark Zuccerella, the department released a statement "in recognition that this issue has generated significant public interest within the community," however the department will not comment further due to the situation being "an individual personnel issue."

On Oct. 29, the department announced Kordick had been placed on paid administrative leave after being informed a day before by "an external source" that the captain may have been involved in the placement of the signs, which began popping up around town the previous week.

"During a subsequent meeting, Captain Kordick confirmed a level of personal involvement in this activity," police said in a statement at the time.

See also: Greenwich Police Captain Put On Leave Over Political Signs: PD

According to the Greenwich Time, Kordick admitted he purchased the signs, which encouraged residents to "Vote Republican. Vote Team Trump/Camillo" and to "Make Greenwich Great Again," linking First Selectman Fred Camillo, who at the time was a Republican candidate prior to the election, to President Donald Trump.

Kordick, a Democrat, told the Greenwich Time he did not coordinate with anyone involved in the election or the campaigns of either Camillo or Democratic candidate Jill Oberlander. He also said the signs were intended to provoke thought about candidates' political positions.

Camillo ultimately won out over Oberlander and was elected as the town's first selectman in November.

Kordick was subsequently placed on leave as the department conducted a review to determine if any departmental rules, regulations or policies had been violated, police said.

Former First Selectman Peter Tesei, who also served as the town's police commissioner at the time of the incident, expressed disappointment regarding Kordick's actions in a statement.

"As police commissioner, I am disheartened by the admitted behavior of Captain Mark Kordick," Tesei said. "It is questionable actions such as this that besmirch the otherwise outstanding reputation of the Greenwich Police Department. One would expect better."

When asked for comment Tuesday afternoon, Camillo simply stated Kordick "will no longer be an employee as of this coming Friday," and directed any further questions to Heavey.