Two weeks ago Police Chief Joe Gaudett told OIB Deputy Chief Jimmy Honis’ return to the Police Department was imminent after a two-year administrative leave with pay pending a criminal investigation of a cold case involving the death of a prostitute decades ago. On Monday the department is expected to welcome back Honis, a police employee of more than 40 years. Honis’ two-year absence cost taxpayers roughly $250,000 in salary and benefits without the benefit of Honis working.
Police officers under investigation are placed on administrative leave with pay as required by the Police Union contract. No formal charges have been brought against Honis in connection with his department leave.
The financial impact of Honis’ departure for two years is much higher than what he was paid directly during his leave. Deputy Chief Adam Radzimirski, who is in charge of Investigative Services, assumed responsibilities for Uniformed Services in Honis’ absence overseeing patrol. Radzimirski was paid $155,155 in 2012, according to the list of top municipal wage earners. The base pay for a deputy chief is $108,000.
As news has spread about Honis’ return to work, a number of city police officers have declared him “Teflon Hon.”
Honis, an accomplished undercover cop who through the decades grew through the civil services ranks to become deputy chief, has been the subject of a federal law enforcement investigation reviewing a cold case involving the disappearance of a prostitute that goes back some 35 years.
If the feds or local police think this case is going anywhere they’re not saying, but the fact Honis is expected to report to work shortly would indicate they think the case may not have legs. Honis has not been charged with any crime. Defense attorney John Gulash represents Honis on the federal review. Honis is also represented by a union lawyer regarding his administrative leave. It is likely the Bridgeport Police Union that represents Honis will file a grievance on Honis’ behalf seeking losses from the past two years involving vacation, holiday, personal days and overtime.
In May of 2011 Police Chief Joe Gaudett released this statement.
Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. announced today that Bridgeport Police Deputy Chief James Honis has been placed on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately, while an investigation is conducted into an allegation of a serious criminal nature made against him.
“In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, and the Department, it is necessary to place Deputy Chief Honis on administrative leave,” said Gaudett.
Police officers under investigation are placed on administrative leave with pay as required by the Police Union contract.
In his absence, Deputy Chief Adam Radzimirski, who is in charge of Investigative Services, also will assume responsibilities for Uniformed Services.
There will be no further comment on the pending investigation.
*** THIS IS GOING TO COST THE CITY SOME “BENJAMINS” NO DOUBT! ***
I’ll start an escort service, for all the right reasons.
I’ll set up shop at the top of four seasons …
I wanna be a cowboy, baby.
Honis looks like Kid Rock’s daddy. Way better looking than that hairy monster yahooy.
With all the people out of work we have a slug sitting on his ass making $250,000. Yeah, I’d vote to support unions … not! They couldn’t find something constructive to do?
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Steve, this has nothing to do with the unions. The City’s policy is to put the cop on paid leave while they investigate the complaint. The fact it took two years to complete the investigation and the City still had NOTHING is the problem. The fact the City probably paid a pack of outside attorneys a significant sum of money and then paid Honis and his attorney on top of it is the problem. The fact Honis will now sue because his reputation was slammed all over the media is the problem. The fact the City now has one too many deputy chiefs in an already overspent police budget is the problem. And you wonder why your taxes go up. SMH.
It seems to seem fair to assume he wouldn’t be coming back to work if the city had anything close to a case against him. It also seems fair to ask why he was suspended in the first place.
Pay this slug what we owe him and encourage him to retire. 40-plus years is enough already.
One other question. How does a deputy chief make $47K in overtime? I guess no one is watching the store.