Politics in the cop shop? No way. Police Chief Joe Gaudett, in a memo to “All Commands,” clarifies rules regarding political activities during work hours. Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi says he believes the department’s rationale also comes under the Hatch Act that precludes some federal employees from engaging in political activities in the workplace.
CT Post reporter Dan Tepfer has more:
For five days the order was read at the morning and afternoon lineups at the Bridgeport Police Department. Police officers cannot conduct official business at any of Joe Ganim’s sponsored “police substations.”
The battle was on.
“The mayor and the chief are trying to politicize something good that will help the community,” charged Ganim, who is hoping to wrest the city’s top political spot from Mayor Bill Finch. “The chief is putting out a political memo on behalf of a mayor who is afraid to lead.”
Full story here.
The memo was most appropriate. Any officer who has a problem comprehending the memo on every level should be reprimanded.
I wonder, where does Ganim get off writing a letter promising anything to the police department?
Mary-Jane Foster, write a letter promising 200. Campaign promise.
Campaign promises are just fodder but they make news. MJF, make news.
Steve, there are many who would agree with you. After all, I believe Mayor Finch promised homeowners a $600 rebate if elected in 2007. As of today, I have never met a single homeowner who received a $1 rebate never mind a $600 rebate.
Exactly, that was my point. When Finch was elected he was responsible and did not have an excess of money to give the taxpayer. It was a nice gesture. 🙂 Foster should offer to put on 200 cops, why not? Is Ganim running for Mayor of Bridgeport or Mayor of the housing projects? So far I do not see any hope for the taxpayer under a Ganim administration. Now just so we understand. I understand all residents in the city of every color and socioeconomic background should be taken care of. What about the taxpayers? Ganim does not talk about development at all. Well Maria, no surprise there. Ganim cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars, that makes a $400,000 driveway seem like chump change if you get my drift. You don’t? How about lining his pockets with $500,000 dollars for his gubernatorial campaign? Still not sold? How about $100 bottles of wine, $1200 suits, expensive cigars and a carpetbagger? Well Maria, it is so ironic you can overlook those little things and you hold others you supported to a much higher standard and crucified them for oh so much less. Do you really think the voters are going to overlook this trivia? I don’t think so!
Btw you were missed this afternoon. But you must keep on keeping on. You are for sure Joe Ganim’s biggest supporter.
Steve, exactly wrong!!! Candidate Bill Finch was told and he knew exactly the City could not afford to give out $600 to the Bridgeport taxpayers, but that’s what liars do, they lie.
You bring up some interesting points on “Ganim running for Mayor of Bridgeport or Mayor of the housing projects.” Have not heard him say anything about homeowners.
I wonder how many officers will actually use the authorized/official substation. We all know the only reason Finch opened one of his own is because … Finch is always two steps behind Ganim’s good ideas.
I hear Finch’s is already closed!
I spoke with a BPD police officer today who informed me he and others were being harassed for attending a pig roast fundraiser for Ganim hosted by a police officer. They are not standing for it and are pursuing a remedy.
Oh? So other police officers are harassing them or are the taxpayers of the city of Bridgeport harassing them for their bad choice? Btw, a “pig roast?” Isn’t that sort of a strange party for cops? Well they are supporting Ganim, I think there was intentional humor there, no?
Cracking the Ganim Code. Perception is reality. The logo says it all. That’s an official Bridgeport Police substation banner on Reservoir Avenue, underneath is a smaller “unofficial” sign. No wonder he couldn’t reclaim his law license.
This round of substation roulette goes to Finch and Gaudett.
The Bridgeport Police Union believes the city does not have the right to designate official substations? You have got to be kidding me.
Again, why can’t a BPD member who lives in Bridgeport declare his living room is an unofficial substation and fellow officers are invited to stop by to fill out reports?
Ganim and Paris look like little kids on this one. Stop it, please. Move on. The more you try to milk this cow the more likely the cow will kick you in the head.
Bitter every day with Tax Bill and Irregular Joe–self-appointed sheriffs of the Wild West.
This round does not go to Finch and Gaudett. The Hatch Act of 1939 only applies to federal and D.C. employees, not municipal and state employees. There is no federal appellate case law on the subject. Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi needs to reread the fucking statute.
Isn’t there grant money from the state and possibly Federal government for the last two police groups hired? Perhaps that is why the Hatch Act is cited, not saying it is correct, just wondering if this is the reason for the reference.
Interesting that it’s okay for Finch and his cronies to do political work on city time. Then again, that’s all they do!
The Hatch Act only covers FEDERAL employees, not municipal. Read the statute:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939
Laws morph. Assistant Police Chief Nardozzi has strong footing while others remain stuck in the conventional cubbyholes of the past.
www .nyc.gov/html/conflicts/downloads/pdf2/municipal_ethics_laws_ny_state/Applicability_of_Hatch_Act_(SKim).pdf
I just read the Hatch Act of 1939. Excellent point, Bridgeport Kid.
Then people wonder why the PD is the way it is. The department is run by Chief Imbecile and Assistant Chief Moron.
I was told the AC was in a mental institution back when he worked for Waterbury PD.
Uh-uh. Some observers think the Bridgeport Police union has broken the law while supporting the candidate it endorsed who has a criminal past. This is what judges do. Are you prepared to see a judge put the cops in jail while removing a mayoral candidate? I hope someone forces a judicial opinion.
There is no legal basis for the courts to stop Ganim’s mayoral campaign. He hasn’t violated any laws. Chief Gaudett and Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi do not have legal grounds under the Hatch Act. Merely “believing” it applies doesn’t mean diddly.
I drove by Ganim’s charade on Reservoir Ave the other day and saw the large banner reading Bridgeport Police Department Substation and including the BPD emblem. And below was posted a much smaller sign stating the word unofficial in quotation marks. And I thought at least two possibilities could be assumed by the passing public. Either it is a Bridgeport Police Substation, but lacking the full capabilities of an “official” police substation or it is not a Bridgeport Police substation at all. And if it’s the latter, why isn’t the person responsible for this being arrested for impersonating a police department?
Gaudett is one of Finch’s puppets. Bill’s arm is shoved so far up his ass it’s pathetic. The Dept. has low morale, no motivation and poor leadership. Gaudett would never ever come close to being a pimple on Joe Walsh’s ass!
Brian Norwood was forced out because he was getting more favorable media attention than Finch. Chief Gaudett is a yes-man. By that I mean a certified ass-kisser, not a Marvel Comics superhero.
Does Ganim still live in Easton?
Ganim now resides in Beautiful Bridgeport.