By Matt Breslow
Staff Writer
November 16, 2006
WESTPORT - For the second time in three days, a local police
department arrested one of its officers for alleged misconduct on
the job.
Westport police yesterday arrested Detective Walter Broadhurst,
37, of 25 Sunnyside Drive, Shelton, for allegedly entering a home
without permission, lying about the incident and stealing cash
from a co-worker's purse.
While interviewing Broadhurst after the purse theft, police say
they caught him with a key that previously had opened the
department's evidence and property room, where about $17,000 and
an undisclosed quantity of drugs were found to have been stolen
in July.
Chief Alfred Fiore said Broadhurst was not issued the key nor was
he authorized to have it.
"Today's a very sad day for the Westport Police
Department," Fiore said yesterday during a news conference
with First Selectman Gordon Joseloff at department headquarters.
But, Fiore expressed pride in the rest of his officers and said
the department will survive the incident.
"There are 69 fine other individuals who exemplify exactly
what a police officer should be," the chief said.
Broadhurst's attorney could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Broadhurst was arrested two days after Norwalk police charged one
of its officers, Ray DeCamillo, with inappropriately touching a
female motorist during a July traffic stop.
Yesterday's arrest stems from incidents that police say occurred
last week.
State police are investigating the disappearance of the drugs and
money from the evidence room at the request of the Westport
Police Department.
State police Sgt. Michael DeCesare of the Western District Major
Crime Squad yesterday confirmed the unit is conducting a probe at
the Westport Police Department but would not comment further.
Broadhurst, who joined the department in 1999 and became a
detective two years ago, was suspended with pay Nov. 7, Fiore
said. He said that at the close of business yesterday, Broadhurst
would be suspended without pay pending the termination process.
Fiore said Broadhurst was seen Nov. 6 in a Westport house he was
not authorized to enter. He has no connection to the home, which
he entered unbeknownst to anyone at the police department, the
chief said.
Broadhurst subsequently filed a falsified police report stating
he was not in the house, Fiore said.
On Nov. 7, Broadhurst was caught on video camera taking $20 from
another detective's purse while she was out of the room,
according to a department statement. Broadhurst was interviewed
by Westport police and allegedly tried to dispose of the $20
bill.
During the interview, police found the old evidence room key in
Broadhurst's possession, according to the statement.
Fiore said "there was no indication that there was this type
of problem" with Broadhurst in the past.
Broadhurst was charged with tampering with evidence,
second-degree forgery, second-degree criminal trespass and two
counts of sixth-degree larceny. He was released on $10,000 bond.
Fiore said the mood at the department yesterday was somber.
"Everyone's sad," he said. "But they've all pulled
together, and they know this is the right thing."
Copyright © 2006, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.