Council Majority Leader Asks for State Police Probe of McMahon

Common Councilman Thomas J. Serra, the Democratic Majority Leader, today encouraged Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano to request that state police investigate the alleged misconduct of former Acting Police Chief Patrick McMahon.

In a letter delivered to the mayor Wednesday, Serra, who wrote on behalf of the majority caucus of the Common Council, urged Giuliano immediately ask for an independent review "to avoid any perceived conflicts and ensure a professional, impartial investigation."

On Monday, , placed him on a 30-day paid administrative leave and for chief after McMahon admitted to drinking alcohol while in uniform.

On Wednesday, Capt. William McKenna was promoted to acting chief of police.

"Since members of the Middletown Police Department and/or other city employees (including yourself) may be material witnesses in such an investigation and/or may have a personal interest in the outcome of such an investigation, we feel that the best way to protect deputy chief McMahon's rights to due process as well as the city's interests is to have an independent agency conduct the investigation," Serra's letter states.

State police, Serra said, have done so for other Connecticut municipalities. Further, Serra wrote to the mayor, if the state police decline this request, caucus members "respectfully request [Giuliano] you call a special meeting of the Common Council to conduct an executive session."

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