Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said three out of four Danbury Police Department officers accused of threatening or harassing a man during a traffic stop were suspended without pay after a hearing Thursday. Boughton has not yet decided the fourth officer's punishment.
The incident happened during a snow storm in March, when police saw a car drive through a red light. Boughton said he's seen the police video numerous times, and one thing is clear. The car was covered in snow and the officers had no idea who they pulled over.
"It was a legitimate traffic stop, no question. There was no way anybody could have seen into that car," Boughton said. He said it was snow covered and he couldn't imagine how how the driver could see to drive.
What happens later, according to an audio tape, is one police officer starts berating the driver and threatening him for driving drunk. None of other three officers interfered with that harrang. Boughton said one was in a car facing the wrong way and may not have seen it.
"Stop being in this country and almost ....... killing people," the voice on the tape said, "because you're too ....... stupid to call for a ride. Honestly, if there wasn't four other cops here, I'd beat the .... out of you right now."
"They certainly did not treat people with respect and professionalism," Boughton said.
Boughton said the two other officers had a chance to calm down the situation or "de-escalate it," but they didn't.
The disciplinary punishments were handed out this way. Officer Robert Madore was suspended without pay for 30 days. Officer Andrew Katkocin was suspended without pay for 120 days. Officer Ryan Howley was suspended without pay for six months.
The fourth officer, who is believed to be the voice on the tape, is Officer Chris Belair. Boughton said he has no time limit on making a decision, and he doesn't like to drag these things out. He said he could decide Friday or in six months.
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