Discipline Meted Out to Hartford Detective Accused of Using Slurs

HARTFORD, CT — A veteran Hartford Police Department detective accused of uttering racial slurs during the course of his arrest for driving under the influence in Plainville last summer has been fired, according to Deputy Chief Brian Foley.

Robert Lanza, an 11-year member of the department assigned to the Special Investigations Division, was involved in an off-duty incident on Aug. 27, 2017 in Bristol and Plainville, resulting in his arrest by Plainville police on charges of operating under the influence of liquor or drugs and interfering with police, Foley said.

During the course of his arrest, Lanza identified himself as a Hartford police officer, repeatedly used racial slurs, showed evidence of animus towards individuals based on race, suggested that individuals of certain races are treated less favorably by law enforcement due to their race, provided false information to Plainville police officers, refused to comply with requests from Plainville police to exit the vehicle, resisted efforts by Plainville police to be handcuffed, requested special treatment because of employment as a Hartford police officer and attempted to intimidate Plainville police by advising them to never come to Hartford, Foley said.

The Hartford Police Department Internal Affairs Division immediately initiated an internal investigation that resulted in sufficient cause to charge Lanza with two violations of the Hartford Police Department Code of Conduct:

• Article I, Section 1.00, Conduct Unbecoming an Employee
• Article II, Section 2.09, Arrest and conviction of any misdemeanor

The charged violation of Article II, Section 2.09 is being held in abeyance pending adjudication of the criminal case, Foley said.

"These actions were egregious, deplorable and completely unacceptable for a Hartford police officer, and are grounds for termination even before considering their present and future detrimental effect upon the operations of the Hartford Police Department," Foley said in a written statement. "This causes concerns over Detective Lanza’s ability to perform the functions of a police officer, as well as the public trust and legitimacy in his ability to enforce the laws equitably without regard to race or ethnicity. His behavior discredited the Hartford Police Department, undermined the good order and discipline of the Department, and damaged working relationships with other law enforcement agencies.

Based on this, along with consideration given to the nature of the misconduct, the findings of the investigation, the evidence presented by both sides at the Disciplinary Hearing, the Hartford Police Department has concluded that termination is the only appropriate course of action. Effective today January 8, 2018, Detective Robert Lanza was dismissed from the Hartford Police Department."

Photo courtesy of Plainville Police Department