State's Attorney Decides Not to Charge Trumbull PD Commissioner McGovern

TRUMBULL, CT—The State's Attorney office has decided it won't pursue charges against Trumbull Police Commission member Roger McGovern after he was accused of harassing someone about payment after a motor vehicle accident.

"The decision of prosecutors not to pursue this matter criminally was made by them and them alone, independent of the Trumbull Police Department," First Selectman Tim Herbst said.

There are two components to the incident, Herbst said. One is whether it involved criminal conduct and another about ethical conduct.

Herbst continued:

Now, we must let the Ethics Commission do their job. I am confident that the Ethics Commission will conduct a full and fair hearing to determine whether there have been any violations to the Trumbull Code of Ethics. Pursuant to our Town Charter, the Ethics Commission is the only town body that can recommend the removal of an appointee. I ask that the people of Trumbull allow this adjudicative body do their job. We have a highly qualified Ethics Commission that is not afraid to make the tough decisions. I am confident they will go where the truth takes them.

McGovern was the subject of a harassment complaint after he confronted a man about damage to his vehicle near his home and at his place of work, according to police. He was told by police officials to go through the proper channels to resolve his dispute with the bicyclist that hit his vehicle.

Related:

• Trumbull Police Commissioner Subject of Harassment Complaint
• Pressure Mounts for Trumbull Police Commissioner to Resign

McGovern's vehicle was hit and damaged by a bicyclist. He confronted the man near the man's home and later at Stop and Shop where he worked, according to a police report.

The man told McGovern he was going to call the police after McGovern visited the store multiple times

McGovern replied, “I am the police,” and left, according to the report.

A number of town officials including Herbst have asked for McGovern to resign.

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