Trooper's Sanctions Upgraded After 2nd Set Of Domestic Charges

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A state trooper had an administrative suspension changed to a "leave" after his second arrest since the summer, local and state police said over the weekend.

On Friday, Gregory Smith, 43, of East Haddam, surrendered to Southington police
after learning there was a warrant for his arrest, according to a report. The warrant, which charged Smith with two counts of violating a protective order, resulted from a Dec. 24 incident in which Smith went to a Southington apartment complex and tried to speak to a resident, despite an active protective order prohibiting him from being at the residence, a report indicates.

Smith is accused of sending the same person a text message on Jan. 11, which also violated the protective order, police said.

The incidents were reported to the Southington Police Department on Jan. 21, police added.

Smith was was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and was to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, state police said they are "aware that employee Gregory Smith was arrested."

Smith was previously arrested by state police on July 12 in connection with a domestic violence incident and has been on administrative suspension without "police powers" since then, according to a statement.

"As a result of the arrest and the seriousness of the employee’s alleged conduct, this employee has been placed on a leave of absence," state police added.

A separate internal affairs investigation has been initiated, state police said.