Southington Police Caught Up In Political Crossfire

SOUTHINGTON, CT — As Southington continues to be embroiled in a divisive election season growing testier by the day, the Southington Police Commission weighed in on matters Friday.

Friday, the Southington Police Commission issued a statement saying its members stand "firmly behind the chief of police, the Southington Police Union and the entire Southington Police Department."

With Democrats and Republicans exchanging social media haymakers all campaign long, the town's police department has, seemingly, been dragged into the battle.

Much of the controversy centers on two former Southington cops running for town council as Democrats — Ed Pocock III and Steve Salerno.

Making the situation more volatile, Pocock and Salerno are former Republicans who switched parties citing dissatisfaction with the town's GOP.

Last week, the Meriden Record-Journal reported the police union issued a vote of no-confidence against the two new Democrats for appearing in campaign materials in uniform.

Union members were concerned about two candidates using the uniform for political means, according to the Record-Journal, while Democrats claimed the men are proud of their service and the union no-confidence vote was done to support the GOP.

Friday, the town's police commission said its members met Thursday and opted to issue a statement of support for all SPD officials, union members and employees.

"The Southington Police Commission has always operated in a non-political manner, however, we will never condone any attempt by anyone to try and tarnish the immaculate reputation of the leadership and officers of the Southington Police Department," wrote the commission in a statement.

"We stand proudly with every member of the department and voted unanimously to issue this statement and demonstrate our support on the record."

The commission didn't specifically mention any single issue of contention, other than to say it met to "discuss some alarming attempts to undermine the Southington Police Commission, Chief of Police, the Southington Police Union and, ultimately, the entire Southington Police Department."

In the statement, the police commission cited a recent survey showing general community satisfaction with the SPD.

"Our Southington Police Department is the envy of many other cities and towns and many look to Southington for help and support in improving the operations of their own police departments," wrote the commission.

This isn't the only dispute pitting the GOP and Democrats against each other over the police department.

Over the summer, GOP committee member Michael Riccio, a former council chairman and current police commissioner, called Pocock III and Salerno party "rejects."

The Democrats took offense, saying the two retired law enforcers should not have been labeled as such, citing town guidelines urging "respect, fairness, consideration and courtesy."

For the full Oct. 23 report of the Meriden Record-Journal, click on this link.

From Aug. 31: 'Southington Candidates Called 'Rejects' By GOP Leader, Dems Fume'

From Sept. 28: 'Southington PD Gets High Marks For Service: Survey'

From Oct. 12: 'Southington Dem/GOP War Reflects Divisive Times'