Independent review finds Hartford police addressed deadpool wager incident in swift and timely manor
A Hartford detective sent a text message to several officers asking to wager on the next homicide in the city for 2021. The detective has since been demoted. Author: Jill Konopka Updated: 11:15 PM EDT May 6, 2021
HARTFORD, Conn. A new independent report revealed the Hartford Police Department and its leadership responded swiftly and addressed the so-called “dead pool” group text wager in a timely and effective manor (sp). It also called the punishment handed down by Hartford police chief Jason Thody in response to the incident quote “excessive.”
Hartford police chief defends his response to dead pool text, but outside review criticizes sergeant s punishment as excessive courant.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from courant.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Officers who participated or didnât report the incident were disciplined.
When information about the incident was released, Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody had said he would be sending the investigation for an independent, outside review, at the request of members of the city council.
In the internal review report released on Thursday, ISS stated âBased on all the documents reviewed, ISS concurs that Detective Placzek s actions were inappropriate and unprofessional. That said, there is no indication that his intent was anything other than trying to be humorous. No members of the Hartford Police Department or the public were injured or suffered any negative consequences. Objectively, there is no indication of any racially motivated theme in his text.â
Officers who participated or didnât report the incident were disciplined.
When information about the incident was released, Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody had said he would be sending the investigation for an independent, outside review, at the request of members of the city council.
In the internal review report released on Thursday, ISS stated âBased on all the documents reviewed, ISS concurs that Detective Placzek s actions were inappropriate and unprofessional. That said, there is no indication that his intent was anything other than trying to be humorous. No members of the Hartford Police Department or the public were injured or suffered any negative consequences. Objectively, there is no indication of any racially motivated theme in his text.â
Updated on December 31, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Three supervisors with the Major Crimes Division are facing discipline after a group text message suggesting a wager on the city s first homicide of 2021 led to a department-wide investigation.
Lieutenant Paul Cicero and Major Crimes Division Sergeants Jeffrey Morrison and Anthony Rykowski are all facing disciplinary action.
Officials said Detective Jeffrey Placzek sent a text message to 20 people, including 14 MCD detectives and supervisors.
The text message asked participants to donate $20 to receive a pin for the dead pool. Once a pin was received, an address would be submitted for the first homicide of 2021, officials said in an investigative report.