By Fay Abramson
Published on 4/8/2005
A three-year old complaint against the Guilford Police Department by one of its sergeants has picked up some speed by the investigative party, the State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). CHRO has determined that police Sgt. Jacqueline Cipollini has a valid discrimination case. According to published documents by CHRO representative Roxanne Ellis Sinclair, Sgt. Cipollini "was rejected for promotion to the deputy chief position in favor of a younger male." Sgt. Cipollini first contacted the CHRO in February 2002 regarding alleged sex and age discrimination by the Guilford Police Department and Board of Police Commissioners. Due to some budget cutbacks at the CHRO that delayed work on her case, the agency just recently imparted activity on her claim. In essence, Sgt. Cipollini, now a 25-year veteran with the force, claims she was passed over for the deputy chief of police position for a younger, less qualified male. She was 45 years old at the time. Lt. Jeffrey Hutchinson, who was 36 at the time, was sworn in as deputy chief of police May 8, 2002. "The long and short of her suit is in November of '01 she's claiming that when the town was looking for a deputy chief of police, the Board of Police Commissioners discriminated against her because of her age and female sex," said Ray Kelly, a lawyer for the police department's insurance company, Specialty National Municipal. Kelly, of the Law Offices of Ray Kelly, in Fairfield, represents the town and the police commission through the insurance policy. "The Board of Police Commissioners and the Police Department adamantly denied that Cipollini's age or sex had anything to do with it," said Kelly. According to Kelly and Cipollini, the CHRO recently concluded that there was reasonable cause for her claim. Cipollini has been with the Guilford Police Department since an internship 25 years ago while she was in college. "I was promoted to sergeant about 15 years ago," said Cipollini. "I haven't had a promotion since." With 25 years on the force, Cipollini is looking ahead to retirement years. "I don't want to retire as a sergeant, I'd rather retire as a deputy chief," said Cipollini. Cipollini's complaint to the CHRO has recently been scheduled for a public hearing. There will be an attempt to try to settle the matter and in the end, there will be a determination as to whether or not discrimination occurred. Whatever the outcome, Cipollini can appeal it.