Meriden Police Officers Lodge Formal Complaint Against Department on the Heels of Brutality Claims - Update

Updated 6:06 p.m.

Five days after two men notified the City of Meriden of their intent to sue the city over alleged police brutality, a third has filed suit, and two police officers have lodged complaints against their own department, alleging nepotism and use of excessive force.

Officers Brian Sullivan and Donald Huston e-mailed a detailed letter to City Manager Lawrence Kendzior Friday morning asking for an investigation to be conducted against five police officers – including police chief Jeffry Cossette and his son Evan Cossette – they accuse of corruption and poor treatment.

“It appears as though we are disciplined according to who you are or who you are related to and for not what you have done,” the officers said in the more than 4,000 word letter that detailed different incidents the two said they had knowledge of. “Basic discipline is one thing but its now reached a point where I believe it is dishonest and vicious criminal acts are intentionally being covered up.”

Jeffry Cossette responded to the complaint early Friday evening.

"These allegations were brought about by two officers who were recently disciplined by me," the chief said in an e-mail to Meriden Patch, saying that "one incident involved an officer who was arrested while off duty and the other incident involved an officer who was disciplined for Excessive Use of Force."

"It is unfortunate that they decided to retaliate against me, my family and my Command Staff, Jeffry Cossette said. "These officers chose to attack me personally with these untrue allegations in an attempt to discredit me within the community. Their own Union will not support them with these allegations."

The officers’ letter comes on the heels of three separate notices of intent to sue the city that were sent to City Clerk Irene Masse this week. Each claimant accuses Meriden Police Officer Evan Cossette of injury.

The most recent complainant, Pedro Temich, alleges that on or about May 1, 2010 Evan Cossette allegedly “hurled” him backwards while handcuffed, causing the man to hit his head on a concrete bench, which fractured his skull requiring 12 staples according to a notice of intent to commence action filed today.

Court records say Temich was arrested on May 2, 2010 and charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license, evading responsibility for property damage/injury, operating a vehicle without insurance, resisting arrest, and felony assault of a public safety employee.

In the claims filed Monday, March 28, Robert Methvin accuses Evan Cossette of delivering knee strikes to Methvin’s head while he was cuffed and lying face down on the ground causing lacerations as his teeth bit through his lower lip, during an Oct. 5, 2010 arrest, according to his notice. Methvin was arrested for interfering with an officer/resisting arrest on October 5, 2010, and pleaded guilty to the offense on November 3, 2010 according to court documents.

Joseph Bryans alleges in his claim that Cossette tackled him without probable cause, tasered him after he was handcuffed, and caused nerve damage to his left wrist after the officer put on his handcuffs too tightly, as he was cuffed to a hospital bed during a Jan. 23, 2011 arrest. Bryans was arrested on second degree breach of peace, and pleaded guilty on March 23, 2011.

Meriden’s Corporation Counsel Michael Quinn said the city does not comment on an intent to sue, and would be sending any claims to the city’s insurance carrier. Police spokesmen declined to comment, sending reporters to the city’s lawyers.

As for the officers’ letter, City Manager Lawrence Kendzior said he had just received it and would “discuss with other staff members what the appropriate action will be.”

Lawyer Sally Roberts, whose clients include both officers and the three men who filed intent to sue, provided a copy of the letter (posted in full in PDF at right) to Meriden Patch Friday afternoon.

The letter details accounts of excessive force by Evan Cossette that officers said they had knowledge of and accuses the department of not investigating claims against the chief’s son thoroughly, but levying punishment on other officers whose offenses were, in their view, less egregious.

"I have always operated the Police Department in a transparent environment. I am confident that any inquiry will reveal a fair and equitable rendering of discipline within the Meriden Police Department," Jeffry Cossette said.