New Canaan Police Officer Placed On Leave Following Arrest: UPDATE

NEW CANAAN, CT — A New Canaan police officer accused of storing explosives and an assault weapon at his Stratford home has been placed on leave following his arrest, the department's chief said Friday afternoon.

According to the state division of criminal justice, David Rivera was arrested Thursday on a warrant charging him with illegal possession of explosives, illegal storage of explosives, illegal possession of an assault weapon, illegal storage of a firearm and three counts of improper transfer of a firearm.

In an email to Patch, New Canaan Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski said the department learned Wednesday of search warrants being served and evidence being recovered related to an active criminal investigation outside New Canaan involving Rivera's off-duty conduct.

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Rivera was subsequently placed on leave and is currently prohibited from serving as an active-duty New Canaan police officer, according to Krolikowski.

"Mr. Rivera will remain on leave pending adjudication of any criminal case and the completion of an internal investigation," Krolikowski said in an email.

In a news release, Fairfield State's Attorney Joseph Corradino said Rivera's bond was set at $250,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court Friday, Corradino said.

An arrest warrant affidavit submitted by Stratford police said high explosives were found improperly stored during a search of Rivera's home. He is also alleged to have used the explosives in his business, which trains working dogs for various organizations, Corradino said.

The warrant also indicates Rivera had no permit for possession of the high explosives, and he was also found to have an assault weapon in his possession, according to Corradino.

An investigation was conducted by the Stratford and Naugatuck police departments, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad and the State Police Bomb Squad, in cooperation with the Fairfield Judicial District State's Attorney's Office.

"The several police agencies were thorough and professional," Corradino said in a news release, "moving quickly to address this situation."

Illegal possession and illegal storage of explosives are unclassified felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Possession of an assault weapon is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Illegal transfer of a firearm is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.