Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Former Westport Detective to Get One Year in Prison

Walter Broadhurst: gets one year in prison, three suspended . WN file photo
Former Westport Detective Walter Broadhurst pleaded guilty in Norwalk Superior Court today to charges that included stealing cash from a fellow detective as well as taking items from a Westport home where he was investigating a burglary.

Under the plea deal, Broadhurst, 38, of Shelton will serve one year in prison with three years suspended and five years on probation. Formal sentencing was put off until Aug. 28 so Broadhurst can get his affairs in order before going to prison.

Westport police arrested Broadhurst twice last November on charges that included fifth-degree larceny, tampering with evidence, second-degree forgery, two counts of sixth-degree larceny and second-degree criminal trespass. (See WestportNow Nov. 15, 2006)

Broadhurst pleaded guilty to possession of narcotics, fifth-degree larceny, second-degreee forgery, and sixth-degree larceny.

Under the plea deal, a drug charge of possession within 1,500 feet of a school--stemming from crack cocaine and smoking pipes found at his home--as well as a larceny, criminal trespass and tampering with evidence charge will be dropped.

Police said a surveillance camera caught him stealing $20 from the purse of a fellow detective and he then attempted to dispose of the cash.

While investigating the case, police said they discovered that Broadhurst had a key to the property and evidence room, which he was not authorized to have.

State police were conducting a separate investigation of $17,000 and several drugs missing from the police property and evidence room. It was state police officers who found drugs at his home, according to court records.

Broadhurst was also arrested for allegedly taking items from a Westport home while investigating a burglary.

According to police, Broadhurst also entered another Westport home without permission and then wrote a report stating he did not enter the home.

Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said today that “Nobody is above the law. There is no doubt public trust in the police was shaken by Detective Broadhurst’s arrest and among those most angered by his criminal activities were the men and women of the Westport Police Department.”

He added: “While we all can take some satisfaction in the fact that justice has been done, unfortunately we’ll have to live with the stigma that even in one of the finest departments in the state, a bad cop can emerge in the ranks.”

Broadhurst started with the Westport department in 1999 and became a detective in 2004. 

Posted 08/14 at 07:08 PM