Former WICC news director Tim Quinn, appointed by Mayor Bill Finch to a $70K spokesperson position in the Police Department, has been suspended. From CT Post and Associated Press:
Tim Quinn, the information officer for the city’s Police Department, was suspended without pay Thursday after sending out an email suggesting that generic cartoon mug shots of criminal defendants could be created with such names as “Miguel the Murderer” and “Hector the Home Invader.”
“This sort of language is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Bridgeport Police Department. The incident will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with immediately,” said Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr.
Added Mayor Bill Finch: “I applaud Chief Gaudett for his swift action on a matter of such a serious nature. I await the outcome of his department’s investigation on this issue. But let me be clear, offensive or culturally insensitive remarks will not be tolerated without swift and significant discipline.”
Quinn did not return calls for comment.
In February Quinn, a longtime personality at WICC radio in Bridgeport, was appointed by Finch to the $69,909 position.
In an email posted just after noon Quinn suggested that news media organizations would be better served hiring a cartoonist rather than requesting so-called mug shots of arrested persons.
“Why wait for mug shots?” he wrote in his email. “I’ve got a better idea than calling me and seeing if we have pictures of what, invariably, turn out to be some of the ugliest critters on God’s green earth. You guys should hire a cartoonist and he could create a whole set of characters then just pop one on the screen to fit the appropriate crime …”
Among the names he suggested were “Miguel the Murderer (kind of a skinny rat wearing a dirty T-shirt)” and “Hector the Home Invader (A weasel wearing a fedora).”
A short time later Quinn emailed an apology: “Guys … I’d like to apologize for the earlier e-mail about cartoon characters rather than mug shots. Poor sense of humor on my part ¦ no intention to be demeaning of anyone ¦ just my Thursday stupid pill. In any event, I sincerely apologize.”
Scot Esdale, the president of the Connecticut chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Quinn’s joke was offensive and his group will investigate.
“I think that he’s totally out of line,” Esdaile said. “We need individuals in those types of positions that stand for freedom, justice and equality.”
No surprise, BPT has a history of hiring racist. Sounds more like “Rooney the Murder” and “David Dunn the Weasel.” He’s probably getting ready to hire his daughter again. $70K, another Finch brain fart!
I have a number of questions concerning Tim Quinn, spokesperson for the Police Department. Who did Quinn send that email to? What made Quinn feel comfortable he could write what he did then hit send? How can Quinn continue to serve as the spokesperson for the Police Department?
Such a shame … he seemed thus far to be a positive addition to the city.
*** Will the Mayor come to the aid of yet another ill hire by this admin on an election year? Probably not! Will this end up in a firing frenzy if the NAACP cries wolf, then moves as another lawsuit against the city in the future? *** HERE WE GO! ***
*** P&Z to decide on (West Side/West End) new stripper club red-light district to avoid city lawsuit loss. *** Take one for the team ordinance rule. ***
Sorry guys, I disagree. It was a joke. They are making way too big a deal of this. We have all received the “off color” email at work. You smile or LOL and delete. No one goes running to mommy and tattles. But then again, this is the City of Bridgeport where they ignore the big problems and go after employees for small things like sending an email. Waste of time.
I almost feel sorry for Tim. The COB is not WICC, it is a cut-throat political environment. If someone doesn’t like you, they will look for the slightest reason to go after you. Tim just handed it to them on a silver platter.
Apparently our sanctimonious Mayor does not tolerate any “Corn on the COB.”
If he had created a character “Seamus the Slasher” would it be more politically correct?
When I read the article about Tim Quinn I tried to figure out what was going on. Tim is a funny guy even when dealing with news. It’s the way he is built. I never understood the appointment to the PR job. I figured someone from the segway unit could have handled PR in the winter and someone from the horse patrol could have picked things up when it got too hot for the horses. The City could have saved salary and benefits. After all the cops know what’s really going on, and they would be used to reporting “Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts!”
What surprised me even more was Finch’s quote on this occasion: “But let me be clear, offensive or culturally insensitive remarks will not be tolerated without swift and significant discipline.”
Perhaps my memory has departed permanently, but didn’t OIB report a comment made by the Mayor when President Obama came to town? Honestly I don’t remember whether the President had time to break bread in Bridgeport. But did anyone hear on that occasion whether there was a paddling involved or a police or NAACP investigation? Fair? Just? Equal under the law? OIB.
I hope someone has a better memory of that historical moment and the Mayor’s eloquence.
Beacon, first of all Finch hired Quinn and then threw him under the bus … just like he did to John Gomes (over the copier incident).
Second, Finch did indeed ask the crowd at the Arena, “Guess who’s coming to dinner?” Fortunately, most of the people there were too fired up about Obama’s visit to get the racial slip. However, I was there. I heard it. I was highly offended.
Oh please, this is like the bitch Shelton headmaster who won’t let Tate go to the prom. It’s not a big deal. Get over it. Make an apology (which Tim did) and move on.
This reminds me of when John Gomes got suspended for asking Lisa to put paper in the copier. Or when Mike N. in Planning got suspended for making a suggestion (completely unflammatory) in an email. Another witch hunt.
Someone should suspend Larry Osborne, Labor Relations Director for his constant use of the “F” word. Talk about your double standard!
city hall smoker // May 13, 2011 at 7:27 am
to your posting
chs,
Funny you should mention Larry has regular and unceasing habitual use of the “F” word. Knowing of him from ’92, I know you’re right.
But it was Larry, representing the City, who sought to deny my application to the State for unemployment compensation by saying first, I “resigned” and when that didn’t work … he then told the hearing officer I went up to Andy Nunn and used the “F” word to Andy to his face.
Now everyone knows I wouldn’t walk up to Andy if he fell over into quicksand, never mind using a big word with four letters in it, but it sort of says where Larry is with Andy and what he wants to say to him.
Back to my application to the State for unemployment; when Larry was asked for the record of disciplinary action for my saying the “F” word to Andy, there was none to show.
The application for unemployment compensation was accepted by the State.
The history in Larry’s department is first make up the lies and then believe them.
Wait, wait … that’s not just Larry’s department, is it?
Stupid is as stupid does, right Birdman?
There’s a hole in downtown Bridgeport.
The police are looking into it.
I’ve Known Tim Quinn a long time, but we have to be careful what we say when we are in a high-profile position.
If I made a joke about Gays or Jews, both communities would be up in ARMS!
We must always be sensitive to the people we are making jokes about!
And they wanted to hang Bob Walsh out to dry over a private phone call. Give me a break. My $600.00 tax break.
What about a joke about a gay, Jewish, Black racist?
Moses, I remember you making some comments about local Black politicians and I will quote you. “They are local niggers, I am an international nigger!” Is it only racist when you speak outside of your own race? Fuck Quinn, we are better off without any racist or sexist bullshit coming from ANYBODY’S mouth in this administration!
Ronin, I can’t recall in what context I used that statement. But it was not used to make fun of anyone’s RACE!
Your flagrant use of the “N” word is not intended to imply racism? Is that what you said? You really are a dumb son-of-a-bitch. Excuse me … you are a dumb INTERNATIONAL son-of-a-bitch.
Prom Quinn NOW!
Now if Quinn said this?
You guys should hire a cartoonist and he could create a whole set of characters then just pop one on the screen to fit the appropriate crime …”
Among the names he suggested were “(Baba The Blue Gum Slibb )” and “(Roscoe the Cuda-Buck sportin a Gold teeth and a do rag),” or how’s this one, A Mug shot of tc (and his trusty facts log book). Now this would be grounds for dismissal.
Nice letter to the editor by Andy Fardy today.
The Mighty Quinn probably has his quill between his legs. In this case the pen is not mightier than the sword. Then again, “you live by the sword and die by the sword.”
Great Letter, Andy.
Nice post by John Gomes on deceptive budget. John’s recent flier was a little deceptive but I won’t bug him about it.
Grin Ripper // May 13, 2011 at 9:23 am
to your posting
Grin Ripper,
Curious about your posting. Do you know a little deceptive is like a big deceptive … it is meant to deceive.
Also, does your posting mean to help Gomes or does your posting mean to harm Gomes?
We can always use the help …
Mayor, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. What about when you introduced the President by saying “Guess who’s coming to dinner?” Perhaps you thought that was funny. Finch has a totally inappropriate sense of humor and totally inappropriate sense of touch.
Did you think it was funny when you said you had to populate your campaign and front office with some minorities so it would look good? The list goes on. Finch is a hypocrite.
The news article stated, “Why wait for mug shots?” he wrote in his email. “I’ve got a better idea than calling me and seeing if we have pictures of what, invariably, turn out to be some of the ugliest critters on God’s green earth. You guys should hire a cartoonist and he could create a whole set of characters then just pop one on the screen to fit the appropriate crime …”
Among the names he suggested were “Miguel the Murderer (kind of a skinny rat wearing a dirty T-shirt)” and “Hector the Home Invader (A weasel wearing a fedora).”
I fail to see the humor. If Tim Quinn, the spokesperson the Police Department emailed those comments while on duty working for the City and forwarded the email on a City computer then he has violated the City’s Internet Policy and the City’s Workplace Policy. When Tim Quinn speaks he is speaking on behalf of Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. and Mayor Bill Finch. If Tim Quinn forwarded those comments on his own time and did not use City property then that’s a different thing.
Tim Quinn in my opinion was the best radio newsperson in this area ever. His whole life has been about the written word and the spoken word and in fact he acknowledges what he did was wrong with his statement, Quinn emailed an apology: “Guys … I’d like to apologize for the earlier e-mail about cartoon characters rather than mug shots. Poor sense of humor on my part ¦ no intention to be demeaning of anyone ¦ just my Thursday stupid pill. In any event, I sincerely apologize.”
Ron, what was Tim Quinn’s intent? Did he intend to disrespect a certain race or did he intend to make someone smile? I think Tim is a funny guy and was just being himself. Now I have huge issues with his job being created in the first place while everyone else was giving back. That’s another story. But I see no reason to suspend him for being himself. Finch is a wimp for not backing him up.
city hall smoker, I have no idea what Tim Quinn’s intent was but I do know what the result was. If Tim Quinn wants to be funny let him do it on his time with his dime and not as the spokesperson for the Police Department on City time.
Bring back Officer Bryant as the PIO, and save the $70K. Why not give the $70K to the families of the two firefighters killed in the line of duty Rooney refuses to take responsibility for? We know the truth!