August 26, 2006 

Ex-sergeant's charges dropped 

By LORI STABILE, the Republic Springfield

WARREN - An assault with a dangerous weapon charge has been dismissed against former Police Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz in Worcester District Court.

Elizabeth A. Stammo, spokeswoman for Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte, yesterday said that the alleged victim in the case did not want to pursue the matter, "and therefore the charges were dismissed."  

Bednarz, 27, resigned from the police force late last month after being on paid leave since February. At the time, Chief Glenn F. McKiel said in a statement that the town considered the matter closed, and provided no monetary settlement to Bednarz other than accrued benefits that were due him.  

Bednarz, affiliated with the department since 1997, was promoted to sergeant in 2003. 

He was slated to be arraigned Monday in Worcester.  

Officer Mark J. Chase accused Bednarz of pointing a loaded gun at him more than once while the two were on duty together, and called him a "real threat" in a statement filed with state police who investigated the allegations.  

A probable cause hearing was held in June regarding Bednarz. Of the three applications for criminal complaints, probable cause was found only for Chase's.

In a statement of facts submitted by State Police Sgt. Francis D. Leahy, Leahy wrote that Bednarz denied most of the accusations and said the three employees who were making the allegations "had motivation to damage his character."  

Bednarz and Chase could not be reached for comment.  

Bednarz's lawyer, James B. Triplett, of Oxford, did not return phone messages.

Selectman Marc W. Richard said as far as he's concerned, "it's a moot issue right now." "To this day I have not seen a lick of paperwork on this situation. This was something obviously resolved between all the parties," Richard said.

July 28, 2006 

Officer facing charge resigns

LORI STABILE; STAFF; The Republican (Springfield, MA)

Jeffrey Y. Bednarz is leaving before his arraignment on Aug. 28 in Worcester District Court for assault with a dangerous weapon, in connection with the gun-pointing allegation.

WARREN - The department's lone sergeant has resigned after being on paid leave for five months for allegedly aiming a loaded gun at another officer.

Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, 27, resigned after a closed-door session with selectmen Wednesday.

In a statement, Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel said Bednarz is leaving to pursue other interests.

"The board voted to accept this resignation and wished him well. The agreement provided no monetary settlement other than accrued benefits that were due him. The town is not involved in the pending criminal case or investigation against Mr. Bednarz and, as such, has no further relevant information or comment. The town considers this matter closed," McKiel wrote.

McKiel could not be reached for additional comment.

Selectman Marc W. Richard said a mutual agreement was drawn up by the town's lawyer and Bednarz's lawyer James Triplett of Oxford. Richard said when Bednarz was given the opportunity to speak to the board, he declined and gave no explanation as to why he decided to resign now. Bednarz was earning $822 a week.

"It's an unfortunate situation . . . There was very little conversation," Richard said. "It's really hard when you like somebody."

Richard called the controversy a "black eye that hangs over the town." He said Bednarz worked his way up in the department, to the second in command. Bednarz joined the department in 1997 as an unpaid auxiliary officer and was promoted to sergeant in 2003.

Bednarz is leaving before his arraignment on Aug. 28 in Worcester District Court for assault with a dangerous weapon, in connection with the gun-pointing allegation. A state police investigation led to the charge.

Officer Mark J. Chase alleged that Bednarz pointed a loaded firearm at him three times, once when the two were parked at the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

According to court documents, Bednarz was on the phone with a woman, then gave the phone to Chase. Chase joked with the woman - whom he described as Bednarz's girlfriend - about getting together after work, and Bednarz became upset, pointing the gun at Chase, the statement said.

Bednarz could not be reached for comment. Triplett did not return phone messages.

Bednarz's resignation will leave two vacancies at the Police Department. Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel is leaving for a chief's job in Winchendon on Aug. 11. Richard said he's not sure when Bednarz's job will be filled.

June 24, 2006

Complaint filed against officer
Bednarz charged with assault

By John Dignam TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
jdignam@telegram.com

WARREN— A criminal complaint has been issued against Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, 27, charging him with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly pointing a pistol at a fellow officer.

Worcester District Court Assistant Clerk Paul X. Johnson issued the complaint after a show-cause hearing Thursday. Sgt. Bednarz will be arraigned on the charge Aug. 28.

According to a statement filed by state police Sgt. Francis D. Leahy in support of the complaint, Sgt. Bednarz allegedly pointed a Berretta Model 96 pistol at Patrolman Mark J. Chase, 32, while the two sat in a marked Ford Explorer police cruiser last November.

Sgt. Bednarz’s lawyer, James B. Triplett of Oxford, said yesterday that Sgt. Bednarz denies the charge.

“I believe the circumstances, when they come out in a trial, will clearly show that Sgt. Bednarz is absolutely innocent,” Mr. Triplett said.

The incident allegedly happened on or about Nov. 1 while the two officers sat in the cruiser in the parking lot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Southbridge Road, according to the statement of Sgt. Leahy, who is a member of the state police detective unit assigned to District Attorney John J. Conte’s office.

According to the statement, Sgt. Bednarz had spoken on a cell phone with a woman whom Patrolman Chase described as Sgt. Bednarz’s girlfriend. Patrolman Chase then spoke with the woman, whom he described as a friend of his, and he made “comments which caused Bednarz to react.”

Sgt. Bednarz withdrew his duty weapon and “quickly moved the gun into my lap so that the muzzle of the barrel was actually touching my body. He then cocked the hammer back with his right thumb. His right index finger was on the trigger. I was shocked,” Sgt. Leahy quoted Patrolman Chase as saying.

Patrolman Chase asked Sgt. Bednarz to “put the gun away” and after about 40 seconds, “he reholstered the gun,” Patrolman Chase told Sgt. Leahy.

Patrolman Keith E. Nicholas and a former dispatcher, John W. Hire, also had sought complaints against Sgt. Bednarz, but decided not to seek those complaints, according to Mr. Johnson.

“Show cause only requires the most minimal amount of evidence and doesn’t mean that a person is guilty by any stretch of the imagination,” Mr. Triplett said yesterday.

“This is an extremely unfortunate circumstance that has been generated by what I believe is union activity against management,” Mr. Triplett said. “I am absolutely confident that Sgt. Bednarz will be found innocent.”

Sgt. Bednarz and all other full-time Warren police officers are members of Local 117 of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police.

Sgt. Bednarz was named sergeant in 2003, a year after he was a semifinalist for the job of chief.

Selectmen in 2003 did away with the position of deputy chief and filled the position of sergeant for the first time in about two decades.

Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel did not return a telephone message yesterday seeking comment.

Sgt. Bednarz was placed on paid administrative leave in late February, and Chief McKiel said last month he would remain on leave until the matter was investigated and resolved.

The department, which has six full-time officers including the chief, has been shorthanded, according to the chief.

Voters at last month’s annual town meeting approved funding for a seventh full-time officer, which Chief McKiel said he hoped to hire by July 1.

June 23, 2006

Officer faces arraignment for assault

LORI STABILE; STAFF; The Republican (Springfield, MA)

The arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 28 in Worcester District Court.

WARREN - An arraignment has been scheduled for Warren Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, who is facing an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge for allegedly aiming a loaded gun at another officer, an assistant clerk magistrate said.

Bednarz's closed probable cause hearing was held yesterday in Worcester District Court.

Assistant Clerk Magistrate Paul X. Johnson said there were three applications for criminal complaints, and that probable cause was found for only one, Officer Mark J. Chase's. Bednarz's arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 28 in Worcester District Court.

The allegations against Bednarz were investigated by the State Police Detective Unit.

"He has pointed a loaded firearm at me on three occasions that I know of. He is a real threat," Chase wrote in a Feb. 15 statement to state police filed with the court.

In a statement of facts submitted by State Police Sgt. Francis D. Leahy on May 23, Leahy wrote that Bednarz denied the majority of the accusations "stating that Chase, Nicholas and Hire had motivation to damage his character and he would report further with his attorney."

Bednarz was referring to Officer Keith Nicholas and former dispatcher John W. Hire, who also made statements about Bednarz.

Chase's Feb. 15 statement said he felt that Bednarz's actions compromised the safety of Police Department employees.

"I also feel that the members of the community of the town of Warren are in danger of being physically harmed by Sergeant Bednarz," Chase wrote.

Bednarz, 27, appointed sergeant in 2003, has been on paid leave since February. He could not be reached for comment yesterday. His lawyer, James Triplett of Oxford, did not return phone messages.

According to court documents, Chase citied an incident in September when the two were parked at the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Bednarz was on the phone with his girlfriend, then gave the phone to Chase. Chase joked with the girlfriend about getting together after work, and Bednarz became upset, the statement said.

"It was at this time that Sergeant Bednarz drew his duty weapon from his holster, cocked the hammer back, and pointed the weapon at my crotch area," Chase said.

Chase wrote that Bednarz pointed guns at him twice in November - once directly at him, once at the back of his head. Chase also expressed concern that Bednarz had taken firearms from the evidence vault.

Chase said that he did not have a grudge against Bednarz, and said he felt "like a rat" for talking with the state police, but said he was fearful that if he didn't, someone would get hurt.

Selectman Chairman Martin A. Nofio said he could not comment about the case because he had not talked to the police chief. As for whether Bednarz will continue to be paid his $822 weekly salary, Nofio said he would have to refer to his contract.

March 14, 2006

Chief affirms sergeant on paid leave

LORI STABILE; STAFF; The Republican (Springfield, MA) l

Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz is not facing criminal charges.

WARREN - Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel said he placed Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz on paid administrative leave, pending the completion of an internal investigation.

McKiel, who released a statement on Sunday, could not be reached for additional comment. The statement says that no charges are pending against Bednarz.

"As this matter is an internal investigation, I am prohibited by state law and upon advice of town counsel, I am prohibited from making further comment," McKiel stated in the release.

A source said Bednarz allegedly pointed a loaded gun at Police Department employees more than once. Bednarz was promoted to sergeant in 2003, and has been on paid leave for three weeks, according to town accountant Madeline R. Witaszek. A spokeswoman for the Worcester district attorney's office has said the office is looking into the matter involving Bednarz. The office did not return calls for additional comment Friday and yesterday. Sources say state police detectives attached to the district attorneys office are investigating.

"We have as many concerns as everyone else in town," Selectman Marc W. Richard said yesterday. "We are looking forward to getting the results of the investigation . . . We are staying out of it until we have the legal authority and right to jump in."

The selectmen are the appointing authority for the Police Department. Richard said nothing official has been submitted in writing from the chief regarding Bednarz. Once the investigation concludes, Richard said the selectmen will take disciplinary action, if it is warranted.

Town lawyer Patricia A. Cantor of Kopelman & Paige refused comment on the matter. Asked if she directed McKiel not to comment, Cantor said, "I can't say. You have to really talk to the town."

A listing in the Worcester District Registry of Deeds showed that Bednarz sold a house Feb. 17 on Bridge Street for $186,000.

March 14, 2006

By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WARREN— Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel is remaining mum about an investigation into allegations against Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, who has been on paid administrative leave since late last month.

In a written statement released yesterday, McKiel said he is prohibited by state law from commenting. He said the town’s lawyers have also advised him to refrain from speaking about the matter. No charges have been filed against Sgt. Bednarz.

Sgt. Bednarz, 26, is the subject of an investigation by the state police detective unit assigned to Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte’s office and based in Auburn, Mr. Conte confirmed last week.  

Sources told the Telegram & Gazette that Sgt. Bednarz allegedly pointed a gun at other police department employees inside the station and while on duty in a police cruiser, sometimes using a laser pointer used to mark a target with a red dot.

Other allegations included the theft of beer from the department’s evidence room and making a comment about slicing another employee’s throat. One source said there are questions about whether some guns seized as evidence are missing.

In a document shown to the Telegram & Gazette, one employee described Sgt. Bednarz allegedly removing a 30-pack of beer being held as evidence, shredding the evidence tag and making a remark about consuming the beer “with 18-year-old girls.”

After dodging telephone calls from a reporter for almost four weeks, Chief McKiel said yesterday that he could not comment beyond what was in the press release.

Sources said officers took their concerns to Chief McKiel but were not satisfied with his response. In the document, employees wrote that they understood Sgt. Bednarz was getting help but the problems had not been resolved.

Sgt. Bednarz and all other full-time Warren officers are members of Local 117 of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police. Union lawyer Patrick Bryant said the coalition is concerned with officer safety and has dealt with Chief McKiel on other occasions. In some situations, the union has been frustrated with him, according to Mr. Bryant.

Sgt. Bednarz was hired as a part-time officer in 1999 and earned the rank of sergeant in 2003, a year after being named a semifinalist for the chief’s job, which was awarded to Chief McKiel, then a sergeant in Littleton.

A source said Sgt. Bednarz’s brief marriage ended last year. The couple has one child. A home on Bridge Street, purchased by Sgt. Bednarz in 2002 for $129,900, was sold recently for $186,000.

Attempts to reach Sgt. Bednarz have been unsuccessful.

March 10, 2006

Warren police sergeant investigated by Conte

By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WARREN— Police Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, 26, once a semifinalist for the job of police chief, is being investigated by state police assigned to the Worcester district attorney’s office, District Attorney John J. Conte confirmed yesterday.

While Mr. Conte would not disclose further information, police sources have said allegations against Sgt. Bednarz came from within the department.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one Warren Police Department employee said Sgt. Bednarz pointed a loaded gun at a fellow officer in the fall. Other allegations include the theft of liquor from the department’s evidence room and remarks about cutting an employee’s throat, the source said.

A document viewed by the Telegram & Gazette appeared to be signed by several officers and indicated that some were in fear of “being physically harmed by Sgt. Bednarz.” The document referred to “several occasions” when a gun had been pointed at officers while they worked inside the station or patrolled with the supervisor.

Some of the allegations were brought to light when an Internet user posting under the name “True Blue” on a police-related Web site sought advice. A source told the Telegram & Gazette that “True Blue” is a Warren police officer.

“What do you do when a fellow officer points a gun to your head with one in the pipe, safety off, finger on the trigger, and the hammer back?” the posting reads.

Other officers, including one who initially used a Warren police badge as an online icon before switching to a cartoon pig, responded online. Some advised the questioner to take up the question with his superiors.

A source said the officers brought their allegations to the attention of Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel several times, but “nothing was done.”

Chief McKiel has not returned more than a dozen calls seeking comment over the past four weeks.

Sgt. Bednarz has not been at work for close to three weeks, though it is unclear whether he is on a scheduled vacation or absent from work for some other reason. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Sgt. Bednarz and all other fulltime Warren officers are members of Local 117 of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police. Union officials declined to comment.

Selectman Marc W. Richard declined to say whether the payroll warrants he has signed in recent weeks have included salary for Sgt. Bednarz.

Selectmen have denied any involvement in the investigation, though one police source said officers told board members of their concerns.

“We don’t run the police department,” Mr. Richard said recently, though he added that the board is the hiring and firing authority under local bylaws. He said board Chairman David Delanski is in contact with Chief McKiel and informs fellow selectmen of developments, though there have been none.

Richard said if there is a problem, a “process will be followed.” He said he would not comment until the matter becomes public.

“It’ll all come out in the wash,” he said.

The board recently signed a new three-year pact with Chief McKiel, weeks after he was named as the top choice of a police chief search committee in Carlisle. According to the Carlisle Mosquito, an online newspaper, Carlisle selectmen appointed acting Police Chief John Sullivan after public outcry in opposition to the search committee’s recommendation.

In a letter to the Mosquito, McKiel said he has “great support” in Warren and works “for and with great people.” Under the new agreement, McKiel’s salary will climb to $80,000 annually.

In late 2002, then-Officer Bednarz was a semifinalist for the chief’s job. But Chief McNeil got the post.

In 2003, the new chief asked selectmen to promote Officer Bednarz to sergeant. Sgt. Bednarz joined the department as a part-time officer in July 1999 when he was 19 years old.

When he was selected for the promotion, Chief McKiel told selectmen Officer Bednarz scored the highest of all of the candidates who took the exam. Bednarz also wowed a review panel composed of Chief McKiel and three area chiefs. At that time, Officer Bednarz said he had an associate’s degree and was working toward a bachelor’s degree. It is unclear whether he has completed that degree.

A police source said officers were interviewed by state troopers from the Auburn-based detective unit of Mr. Conte’s office. The source said it is not known what the district attorney’s office plans to do, if anything, with the information they provided.  

February 9, 2006

Police chief wins new contract

LORI STABILE; STAFFThe Republican (Springfield, MA) lstabile@repub.com

The contract includes 12 sick days, 3 personal days and 20 vacation days.

WARREN - Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel has inked another three-year contract with the town.

It calls for McKiel to be paid $64,000 in fiscal 2007, $65,500 next fiscal year and $67,500 in his final year. The contract is effective July 1 and runs through June 30, 2009.

The contract does not include Quinn Bill educational incentives, in which police officers get pay raises of 20 percent for a bachelor's degree and 25 percent for a graduate degree. The state reimburses cities and towns half the cost. McKiel holds a master's in criminal justice and bachelor's in business management.

"I'm pleased to be here for another three years," McKiel said at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting.

Selectman Chairman David A. Delanski announced at the meeting that a contract had been signed and ratified with McKiel. Details of the contract were not released until yesterday, however.

The contract includes 12 sick days, three personal days and 20 vacation days. It also includes an $800 clothing allowance and $250 cleaning allowance for the first two years of the contract. The third year of the contract calls for an $850 cleaning allowance and $300 clothing allowance.

McKiel, who started the job in January 2003, has a 14-member department - nine part-time officers and five full-timers.

McKiel's salary was listed in the 2004 town report at $68,809, with Quinn Bill incentives included. Delanski said McKiel's salary last year, without Quinn Bill incentives, was in the $58,000 range.

During negotiations, Delanski said the board took into account McKiel's accomplishments over the past three years, including bringing $211,000 in grants to the town.

"We got two police cars that didn't cost a cent," Delanski said.

Delanski said they wanted McKiel's salary to be in line with other surrounding towns.

"We were comfortable with it. The town doesn't have a lot of money," Delanski said.

February 9, 2006

Warren police chief signs new 3-year pact -
Salary will reach $80,000 under Quinn Bill

J.P. Ellery, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WARREN - Glenn F. McKiel has signed on for another three years as police chief at an increased base salary of $64,000.

"I do like living here, and I do like working here," Chief McKiel said yesterday. "I'm very pleased that it worked out."

The contract, which begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2009, provides the chief with a base annual salary of $64,000 as of July 1, which is up from the $57, 258 that he receives. The agreement calls for increases to $65,500 on July 1, 2007, and $67,500 on July 1, 2008.

Chief McKiel also is entitled to an additional 25 percent of his base salary under the so-called Quinn Bill, a state law that rewards police officers for college degrees. That bonus will increase his base salary to $80,000.

The additional money due Chief McKiel under the law is paid 50 percent by the town and 50 percent by the state.

The agreement is the second three-year contract that Chief McKiel has penned since being appointed in late 2002 to head the department.

The chief, who came to Warren from the Littleton Police Department, where he was a sergeant, has a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

When he and his wife, Deborah, moved to Warren in 2003, they were looking for a change from the city life of Lowell, where they previously lived.

"I was really looking for an area where I could come in, work hard, make a difference, do a good job, improve the conditions of the police department and hopefully improve the relationship," Chief McKiel said. "I think that we've been able to do, collectively ... good things in the last three years, and I'm excited about what the next three years hold."

The base salary increase from $57,258 to $64,000 may seem like a lot to town residents, but he was seeking compensation that was comparable to other area police chiefs, Chief McKiel said.

"Believe it or not, at the end of 2009 it will still be less money than I was making when I left Littleton in 2002," Chief McKiel said.

Selectman David A. Delanski said the chief has obtained $211,000 in state and federal grants for the Police Department during the past three years.

"We thought that he was doing a good job," Mr. Delanski said. "We know he's brought a lot of money into the department and a lot of professionalism, so we were happy with the performance."

Under the new contract, the chief receives 12 sick days per year, cumulative to 120 days during his entire employment with the town, three personal days, and 20 days of paid vacation. He may also use five days of compensatory time off subject to the needs of the department. No additional compensation will be given if the comp time goes unused. Comp time means if the chief works a lot of extra hours he may take up to 40 hours of time off during a fiscal year to compensate.

The pact calls for an $800 clothing allowance and $250 cleaning allowance in years one and two and an $850 clothing allowance and $300 cleaning allowance in the final year.

The town agrees to give Chief McKiel six months notice if it intends not to reappoint him.

Chief McKiel took over command of the Police Department on Jan. 1, 2003. His initial base pay was $49,500, with an automatic increase to $52,000 after a six-month probationary period.

Selectmen then negotiated a three-year contract with Chief McKiel in 2003, which took effect July 1, 2003. That pact increased the $52,000 base pay to $54,500, beginning July 1, 2003

August 8, 2005

Warren officer resigns 2nd job -
Chief invokes new policy

J.P. Ellery, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WEST BROOKFIELD - A part-time police officer has been forced to resign because of a neighboring town's prohibition on having two police jobs.

Clifford J. Luce of Brookfield was appointed a full-time police officer in Warren earlier this year. At the time, he also was a part-time officer in West Brookfield.

There was a time when a full-time officer in Warren was allowed to be a part-time officer in a neighboring town.

No more. When Warren Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel became chief in late 2002, he instituted a new policy. Full-time police officers can no longer serve in a full- or part-time capacity for another police department.

Officer Luce submitted his resignation last week to the West Brookfield Board of Selectmen.

"If I have an officer that's working here full time," Chief McKiel said, "and he's working in another community part time and becomes injured, he becomes not only a liability to that town, but a liability to this town."

Warren does not have to pay if an officer is injured while working for another town, the chief said, but if the officer is disabled for a sustained period, Warren loses the person's services. And the town must find a replacement.

Part-time police officers in Warren are permitted to have a secondary police job because the potential liability on Warren is not the same, the chief said. There are other part-time officers available to fill in.

Chief McKiel said Warren's policy has always been that all outside work by a full-time officer must be approved by the chief, but he added the prohibition on working part time for another police department.

He said he must approve all outside work because "I can't have them being a bartender at a local establishment ... I can have them selling (burglar) alarm systems."

The need for a full-time Warren officer to resign a secondary police post had not arisen until Officer Luce ran into the policy. Since Chief McKiel assumed command, Officer Luce was the first full-time officer who, at the time, was working for another department.

If the situation were reversed, however, and Mr. Luce was a full-time police officer in West Brookfield seeking to work part time in Warren, it might be possible. Sgt. William F. Lynch of the West Brookfield Police Department said there is no written policy there prohibiting it. West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O'Donnell Jr. has the authority to approve or not approve of such an arrangement.

Cpl. Joseph R. LaFlower of the Warren police force said he knew what it was like to serve two police departments. He and former Warren Police Officer Earl Dessert were permitted to work part time for other police departments prior to Chief McKiel taking over.

"Earl Dessert did at one time and I did at one time," Mr. LaFlower said. "I worked in the Brookfield Police Department part time at the same time I worked here (in Warren) full time."

Mr. Dessert worked part time for the Brimfield Police Department, he said.

Mr. LaFlower said the two-town arrangement was not a good idea for a variety of reasons. It can put a limitation on an officer accepting overtime from the department that employs him full time, Mr. LaFlower said.

There also were instances in Brookfield when his work schedule conflicted with his schedule for the Warren Police Department.

When Warren previously permitted an officer to have two police jobs, Mr. LaFlower said, the town apparently was willing to accommodate appointees employed by a neighboring police department because police officers were hard to find.

The revised policy set down by Chief McKiel makes much more sense, according to Mr. LaFlower.

August 4, 2005

Selectman apologizes to chief

KIM RING; STAFF The Republican (Springfield, MA) kring@repub.com

WARREN - A member of the Board of Selectmen apologized to the town's police chief this week and urged the finance committee chairman to do the same.

Martin A. Nofio said he should have stood up to Kenneth Frazier when Frazier made comments indicating he'd received "misinformation" from the police department.

Frazier's comments came as selectmen were discussing a proposed vehicle swapping plan for the police and fire departments. Finance committee members, Frazier said, initially opposed the changes because they'd heard that the 1995 Jeep 4-wheel drive cruiser being sent to the fire department, "had problems."

But Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel said the reality was that the vehicle had never been equipped with heavy duty suspension and other accouterments needed for the rigors of police work.

Somehow that information was passed on incorrectly to the finance committee, though McKiel said he'd never been asked by any of that group's members to comment on the vehicle's condition.

During the meeting last month, McKiel slammed down his books and spoke sternly in response to Frazier's comment.

"I take exception to that," he told Frazier. "I never participated in any meeting."

Nofio said this week that he should have stood up for the chief and apologized for his lack of action. He said Frazier's comments, "overstepped the scope of the discussion" and requested Frazier apologize, as well.

Frazier, reached by telephone, said he perhaps should have used the word "misunderstanding" rather than misinformation but has no intention of saying he's sorry. He said McKiel shouldn't take such matter personally.

"Apologize for what?" Frazier said. "I don't see anything to apologize (for)."

May 18, 2004

Warren officers, officials back chief

WILLIAM SWEET; STAFFThe Republican (Springfield, MA)wsweet@repub.com 

WARREN - Warren Police Department officers last night showed support for Police Chief Glenn McKiel, seeking to quell a resident's recent charge that McKiel was the subject of a police investigation.

Seven officers, all members of the department hired before McKiel came to Warren last year, attended the selectmen's meeting last night as a show of support for their chief.

The group was backing up recent statements by officials with Worcester County, the State Police, and Police Chief Glenn McKiel's past employer in Littleton, refuting claims by a resident that the police chief was the subject of an investigation, and other rumors.

"We're here to support our chief," said Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz. "We're here to say we back the decisions he has made, and we'll back the decisions he will make."

McKiel recently received endorsements from police higher-ups in response to comments made by Finance Committee member Anne Bourque at an April 12 selectmen's meeting, claiming State Police had investigated McKiel. McKiel said last night that he didn't know about his officers' intentions to speak, however.

"I am surprised, I am pleased, I am humbled by this," said McKiel.

"Everyone's here of our own free will," said Bednarz. "It's not like he's stacking the department with his buddies."

Police officer and former selectman Joseph R. LaFlower said selectmen shouldn't have allowed Bourque' comments in open session, with a local cable access camera rolling, and without McKiel present at the time. The accusation should have been taken in a closed session, he said.

Littleton Police Chief John M. Kelly, Middlesex First Assistant District Attorney John McEvoy, State Police Superintendent Col. Thomas J. Foley, and Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte denied that McKiel has ever been under investigation.

Bourque later said her information came secondhand. 

May 18, 2004

Chief in Warren to again demand a public apology -
FinCom member's comments

J.P. Ellery, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WARREN -- Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel will again demand a public apology from Finance Committee member Anne M. Bourque at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

He requested an apology three weeks ago after Ms. Bourque came to a Board of Selectmen meeting April 13 and made unsubstantiated allegations about state police uncovering complaints against Chief McKiel and a former full-time Warren police officer.

The allegations by Ms. Bourque were carried live over the local cable TV access channel.

Ms. Bourque has twice admitted in public that her allegations were based on hearsay, but she declined to apologize April 27 until she could meet with the chief to discuss details of a background check Chief McKiel did on former Warren Police Officer Michael C. Liddell.

``To date, I have not heard from her,'' Chief McKiel said yesterday, referring to Ms. Bourque. ``She has made no attempt to contact me by phone, mail or otherwise.''

An attempt last night to reach Ms. Bourque by telephone was unsuccessful.

Ms. Bourque previously admitted that her son was involved in a police investigation earlier this year into the conduct of former Officer Liddell, who recently resigned from the Police Department for ``family reasons.''

An accusation was made by an unidentified 19-year-old Warren woman that while in uniform Officer Liddell gave her an unwanted kiss. Jason A. Bourque, Ms. Bourque's son, has been identified as the 19-year-old woman's boyfriend.

Chief McKiel has said that he believes there is a small group of people in town responsible for spreading rumors about the Police Department in an attempt to see him fail as chief, a job he has held for about 18 months.

``What I'm going to do,'' Chief McKiel said yesterday, ``is address (this failure of Ms. Bourque to respond) in a memo to the board next Monday night and ask that we again call her in,'' Chief McKiel said. ``I can't stand by for this.''

The chief said he wants Ms. Bourque to apologize for telling selectmen at a public meeting that state police had uncovered information as to complaints that were made against former Officer Liddell and one that implicated Chief McKiel when both previously worked on the Littleton Police Department.

The chief has stated on several occasions that in his 17 years as a police officer he has never been the subject of an internal or external police investigation.

He has provided selectmen with letters from Col. Thomas J. Foley of the state police, Littleton Police Chief John M. Kelly, Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte and First District Attorney John McEvoy of Middlesex Country, all denying any past investigations of Chief McKiel.

``I think my proof is pretty substantial,'' Chief McKiel said.

Seven members of the Warren Police Department attended last night's Board of Selectmen meeting in support of Chief McKiel.

Officer Joseph R. LaFlower, a former selectman, said he was displeased with the fact that Ms. Bourque was allowed to make her unfounded assertions in a public session.

``The person (Ms. Bourque) was allowed to make allegations when the person who the allegations were about (Chief McKiel) wasn't there,'' Officer LaFlower said.

He said the remarks made by Ms. Bourque should have been heard behind closed doors.

Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz said the police officers in attendance last night all stand behind Chief McKiel. 

June 26, 2003

Warren names new sergeant -
Bednarz unanimous choice to fill post

J.P. Ellery, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WARREN -- The town has a police sergeant for the first time in about two decades.

The Board of Selectmen Tuesday unanimously chose Officer Jeffrey Y. Bednarz, 24, of Warren, a local police officer since 1997, to fill the full-time post.

Sgt. Bednarz, who started his police career at age 19 as a part-time auxiliary officer in town, was a finalist for police chief in Warren when Chief Glenn F. McKiel, formerly of the Littleton Police Department, was appointed to the position late last year.

``He's going to be primarily covering the evening hours when I'm not here,'' Chief McKiel said about Sgt. Bednarz yesterday.

Shift-wise ``it hasn't been completely determined, but my goal is supervisory coverage seven days a week, so I think Jeffrey (Bednarz) is going to end up with days off during the week. Between myself being here Monday through Friday and him being here on the weekend, we'll have seven-day supervisory coverage.''

The likely shift for the sergeant will be 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sgt. Bednarz's salary climbs from $16.38 to $18 an hour, the chief said.

Sgt. Bednarz said yesterday that he holds an associate's degree in criminal justice and plans to resume his education at Western New England College in Springfield to obtain a bachelor's degree.

HIs college education was interrupted when he accepted a full-time shift working days on the local police force.

``I have less than a semester'' remaining, Sgt. Bednarz said. ``I don't have to take a full course load of classes. It's probably going to end up being three or four classes'' to get the degree.

``Once the fall semester kicks in, I'm going to make an effort to get back in there and get it out of the way,'' he said.

Two other local police officers took the town exam for sergeant, according to Chief McKiel. Joseph R. LaFlower, a 16-year member of the department, and Michael A. Gendron of Chicopee, who became an officer in Warren in January.

Sgt. Bednarz was the top scorer on the exam, the chief said, and he also impressed a professional review panel that consisted of West Brookfield Police Chief C. Thomas O'Donnell Jr., Ware Police Chief Dennis M. Healey, Palmer Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk and Chief McKiel.

``The panel itself made a recommendation and he (Sgt. Bednarz) was the unanimous choice of the review panel as well,'' Chief McKiel said.

Officer LaFlower and Officer Bednarz had their names presented to selectmen Tuesday for consideration. Chief McKiel recommended Officer Bednarz.

``I felt very comfortable and confident given Jeffery's (Bednarz) motivation, his desire and his education,'' the chief said. ``That was a big help to him. I'm sure it's no secret I'm a big fan of education and I believe in education.''

The full-time Warren Police Department consists of a chief, a sergeant and four police officers augmented by a crew of about six part-time personnel.

In past years, the Police Department included the post of deputy police chief, which was held by former Deputy Chief James M. Kordek, who retired Dec. 31.

Selectmen decided when Mr. Kordek retired not to retain the job of deputy chief, but they re-established the sergeant slot instead.

June 14, 2006

Warren dispatch worker resigns
Hire steps down after ‘inquiry’

By J.P. Ellery CORRESPONDENT

WARREN— A full-time emergency dispatcher for the town, facing a possible disciplinary hearing, resigned last night.

The Board of Selectmen met in closed session with dispatcher John W. Hire of Hardwick, Douglas C. Walker, his lawyer, and Police Chief Glenn F. McKiel.

“This is not a hearing,” Selectman Marc W. Richard said before the closed meeting began. “This is an inquiry to see if there is cause to go forward with this.”

Under the state Open Meeting Law, Mr. Hire was asked if he wanted the discussion to be in open or closed session. He opted for the closed meeting, which lasted about 45 minutes.

After the session, Mr. Richard said: “The inquiry has come to a conclusion and there is a letter of resignation submitted effective immediately.”

No information was provided by Mr. Richard or Selectman David A. Delanski on any possible charges involving Mr. Hire or any assertions of misconduct. Selectman Martin A. Nofio did not attend the meeting.

Mr. Hire declined to comment. He did confirm that he was initially hired three years ago as a part-time dispatcher for police, fire and ambulance services. He has been a full-time dispatcher for two years. His most recent salary was listed at just under $26,000 in the annual town report.

“I hereby find it necessary to advise you of my intention to respectfully tender my resignation as an employee of the town of Warren ... for personal reasons, effectively immediately this date,” Mr. Hire wrote to selectmen.

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