Ex-Windsor Locks Cop, Outspoken Police Critic Charged With Threatening

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A former police officer, outspoken critic of the Windsor Locks Police Department and unsuccessful write-in candidate for police commission in last week's municipal balloting was arrested on a warrant Tuesday after an investigation into comments, construed as threatening, made to a town official on Election Day, according to Police Chief Eric Osanitsch.

William Rousseau, 75, was charged with second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. He was released after posting 10 percent of a $10,000 surety bond, and is scheduled to appear Nov. 22 in Hartford Superior Court.

According to police, the Nov. 7 incident occurred while Rousseau was campaigning outside town hall. He approached First Selectman Paul Harrington, who told police Rousseau said, "You know Paul, I could be across the street with my rifle and put a bullet right in DiBella's head." He then made reference to gaining access into North Street Elementary School and causing harm, then made another statement implying he could "pick off the officer and football or sports team because they are wide open."

Steve DiBella was recently assigned as the school resource officer at the elementary school. During their investigation, police found a post dated Nov. 7 at 5:22 p.m., showing a photo of a football practice. The caption reads, "Here, like many School Events, our STUDENTS ARE VULNERABLE !!! Should we hire an SRO TO PROTECT THEM?!?? !!!"

On various social media accounts run by Rousseau, including Windsor Locks,Ct-the Back Beat and WINDSOR LOCKS AN OPPOSITE POINT OF VIEW, he "has regularly expressed his disdain and disapproval of school resource officers in Windsor Locks, and Officer DiBella in particular," Osanitsch said in a written statement.

Under the state's "red flag" law, detectives obtained a Risk Protection Order and Risk Warrant, which they served at Rousseau's home on Nov. 10. They seized four weapons, ammunition, a Windsor Locks police jacket and two duty holsters, according to Osanitsch.

"The WLPD takes any threats of potential violence directed at our community's school children and police officers very seriously," the chief wrote. "There is zero tolerance for this type of conduct and it's sad that this even has to be explained."

On his social media pages, Rousseau claims he was physically abused by an officer during the search of his home, and that he was denied the right to record the search on his cell phone. He has also started a GoFundMe page to support his legal defense, which has amassed $70 of his $20,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.

Rousseau was a Windsor Locks police officer for more than two decades, beginning in 1983. In Sept. 2006, his termination was recommended by former Chief John Suchocki, and unanimously approved by the police commission. He brought charges against the department, claiming age and health discrimination, and as part of a settlement in July 2007, was granted retirement with medical benefits and a payment of $110,000. In return, he agreed "to drop all pending lawsuits and administrative complaints against the town, and to "forever forebear" and "waive any right to institute legal proceedings, contractual, administrative or judicial."

Two years after ending employment with the town, Rousseau unsuccessfully sought to obtain retirement credentials identifying him as a retired Windsor Locks police officer, which would have allowed him to carry concealed firearms. Despite the wording in his separation agreement, he filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the town and the police commission, claiming they violated his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. On July 31, 2012, Judge Mark Kravitz granted a motion for summary judgment in favor of the defendants and closed the case.

"In the past, town officials have contacted the Windsor Locks Police Department to request an officer be present at public town hall meetings when Rousseau's presence was anticipated, as a measure of security predicated on his behavior leading up to the meeting(s)," Osanitsch wrote.