Officer fired for warning friend of probe

By John Nickerson
The Advocate Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/24/2008 02:53:51 AM EDT

NORWALK - Veteran Sgt. Stephen Couture was fired by the police trial board Tuesday for telling his friend - former police Lt. Thomas Cummings - last October he was under investigation for having sex with a 15-year-old Weston boy.

Testimony before the board previously revealed that within minutes of being told by a Westport detective that Cummings was the prime suspect in the sex assault case, Couture, then commander of the department's Youth Bureau, called Cummings for a meeting.

In testimony, Couture admitted telling Cummings this but denied knowing a criminal investigation was under way.

Couture's police union attorney, Richard Gudis, said he would immediately file a grievance with the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration. He will argue the board didn't have just cause to fire Couture.

Couture was not present when the board's decision was announced.

Asked if Couture's 24-year department career had ended, Gudis said, "No I don't think so. When this same set of facts is put before competent and impartial triars of fact, Stephen Couture will be vindicated and get his job back."

The board - former police captain and Police Commissioner Peter Torrano, Police Commissioner Daniel O'Connor and Personnel Director James Haselkamp - found Couture engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer and imparted confidential departmental business to someone not entitled to receive it.

He was found partially in violation of departmental rules, but no violation was found on the charge that he withheld police business from a superior officer.

"The trial board finds just cause to terminate Sgt. Couture's employment with the city of Norwalk," reads the 19-page memorandum of decision unanimously accepted by the trial board.

Although Cummings is facing charges that he had sex with two 15-year-old boys and tried to lure another to his Dreamy Hollow condominium in Norwalk, no criminal charges surfaced involving the Weston youth.

The board's decision Tuesday wrapped up four hearings in August and September. The board heard testimony from Couture, Police Chief Harry Rilling, Westport Detective Jill Ruggiero, Youth Bureau Detective Charles Perez and others with knowledge of what happened on Oct. 26 after Couture found out Cummings' cell phone number, address and physical description had been given to Westport police by the Weston boy.

Just before handing out the decision at the police department after 4 p.m., board chairman Haselkamp said members would have no further comment.

Moments before the vote, Couture and his mother and father left the room. He did not return a call seeking comment.

Rilling said he expected the union would file a grievance.

"I believe, based on all the evidence presented during the trial, the board made a proper decision. It is a very sad and difficult day for our department, but it is now time to move forward," Rilling said.

If Couture returns to work as a result of the grievance process, he won't be the first officer to do so.

Former officer Liam Callahan was fired from the department for taking a skull fragment from a fatal car accident scene on Memorial Day in 2005 and bragged that he would use it as an ash tray.

In 2006, he was reinstated after the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration decided to convert his firing into a one-year suspension.

The board supported the police union's contention that the 4-inch by 4-inch fragment was not evidence in the accident investigation and that Callahan had been excessively disciplined. Callahan has since resigned from the department.

"The difference between the Norwalk police department trial board and the state board is the state board is a neutral, fair and impartial panel," Gudis said. "Clearly this was more a decision of political expedience than justice, insofar as Cummings was allowed to retire and (Lt. Michael) King was allowed to retire."

King, a veteran officer, retired last month after he came under scrutiny for downloading pornography. Cummings resigned days after his Jan. 29 arrest.

- Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com or at 750-5307.