Trumbull Police Commissioner Subject of Harassment Complaint

TRUMBULL, CT—A Trumbull Police commissioner 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.

Roger McGovern was told by police officials to go through the proper channels to resolve his dispute with the bicyclist that hit his vehicle.
Police commissioners are appointed by the first selectman and oversee matters related to the police department.

McGovern didn't respond to a request for comment left Tuesday.

First Selectman Tim Herbst said that the investigation remains ongoing.

"Local law enforcement will refer this matter to the State’s Attorney’s office to determine if any laws were broken or if charges should be filed," he said. "At the conclusion of this investigation, if there is sufficient evidence to establish that laws were broken, the offending party should submit their resignation."

He added that no public official elected or appointed is above the law.

Police became involved on Sept. 9 after they responded to the Stop and Shop on Quality Street over a harassment complaint. A 33-year-old Bridgeport man said that he lost control of his bicycle on Aug. 19 and struck a motor vehicle. About a week later McGovern confronted the man near his residence in Bridgeport. He exited his vehicle along with two other males and asked the Bridgeport man to give him $2,600 so he could fix his vehicle, according to police.

The man told McGovern that he worked at Stop and Shop and didn’t have that kind of money available.

McGovern showed the man a badge and said he was a law enforcement officer and that he needed to pay him, according to the man’s statement made to police. McGovern and the other men then left.

About a week later McGovern went to Stop and Shop and confronted the man and suggested that he either borrow the money from someone else or take a cash advance on a credit card. The man declined and McGovern left after a brief conversation, according to police.

A few days later McGovern again showed up at Stop and Shop and requested to see the man. A manager said he wasn’t working at the moment and that he couldn’t give McGovern the schedule.

The manager advised the man to call police if McGovern showed up again. McGovern showed up to the store Sept. 9 and again confronted the man about the money situation.

The man told McGovern he was going to call the police and McGovern replied, “I am the police,” and left, according to a police report.

Police advised McGovern to go through the proper legal channels to resolve the damage and advised the man to contact them if he confronts him at work or Bridgeport Police if he confronts him at his residence. McGovern wasn't charged and the police report indicated that the matter was closed as of Sept. 10.