update

FINALLY first selectman palmer grew a set and STARTED an investigation. what the hell took him so long?


Allegations Of Threats By Oxford Officer Probed
By TRACY GORDON FOX
Courant Staff Writer
December 1 2005

State police have opened a criminal investigation into whether an Oxford police officer made threats to a former girlfriend and two resident state troopers who supervised him."We have initiated an investigation, and have consulted with the state's attorney," Public Safety Commissioner Leonard C. Boyle said Wednesday. He declined to say anything else about the case.The investigation into Oxford police Cpl. James Burr was initiated this week after a Superior Court judge in Danbury extended a restraining order against Burr for six months. Burr's former girlfriend, Diane Gaudett, testified Monday that Burr, 44, of Prospect, had threatened her, called her 94 times in one weekend and that she was afraid of him. Burr, who has had two other restraining orders filed against him and whose guns have been taken away twice, was suspended with pay this week by Oxford First Selectman August Palmer III, pending the outcome of the state police investigation. Palmer asked the state police to open an internal investigation into Burr's action, Boyle said.For the duration of the restraining order, Burr is not permitted to possess or carry a weapon or work as a police officer. Waterbury State's Attorney John Connelly confirmed that his office is looking into whether a warrant should be signed, but declined to comment further.State Police Union President David LeBlanc said he has been concerned for some time about the safety of his troopers who work with Burr and does not understand why it took so long for the department to react."We were very concerned about the safety of our troopers out there," LeBlanc said. "We went to the agency with our safety concerns. This has been going on for quite some time."The two resident state troopers, Pat Carozza and John Butkevicius, had repeatedly warned Palmer and state police supervisors that Burr was unstable, possibly abusing drugs and potentially violent, according to state police reports about Burr's behavior. Burr, a local officer, is supervised by the resident state troopers, but only Palmer, who by town charter is also the police chief, can hire, fire or discipline him...........