By JOE WOJTAS
Day Staff Columnist, Stonington/Mystic
Published on 9/8/2005
Stonington— The town is trying to attach the assets of three former police officers to get reimbursement for $26,000 in training expenses.
A decision is expected this fall after a New London Superior Court judge, who heard arguments during the summer, reviews legal briefs filed by the town and the police union.
The town has filed suit against Nate Charron, Timothy Thornton and Joseph O'Brien, alleging they owe the town some or all of the cost of their training at the state's municipal police academy.
The contract between the town and the union states that if an officer leaves the department within one year of being hired, the person must reimburse the town for all of the cost of the training. If an officer leaves within two years, the reimbursement rate is 80 percent of the training costs; within three years, 50 percent.
The town and police union agreed to the contract provision because the town did not want to pay to train officers and then lose them to another department shortly after.
The suit is seeking $5,191 from Thornton, who left the force in 2002 to pursue work in the private sector, according to union President Thomas Paige. The town is seeking $12,519 from Charron, who left in 2004 to join the state police; and $8,290 from O'Brien, who resigned in 2004 to join the Clinton Police Department. All three men have refused to pay the town.
Meanwhile towns in the state with similar provisions in their contracts are closely following the Stonington case, according to town labor attorney Hal Calmar.
“It's an enormous investment for towns,” Calmar said.
The town has filed a motion for a prejudgment remedy on the grounds there is probable cause to believe the three men will be ordered to repay the money. If the motion is granted, the town would be able to attach not only their property but any bank accounts and investments such as stocks and mutual funds.
Calmar said that in case such as this, attaching the officers' assets is a prudent step to take.
Union attorney Kevin Deneen could not be reached for comment Wednesday.