SerpApi.Org
BRIDGEPORT — One of the city’s three police captains is under scrutiny for allegedly using a gay slur in front of dozens of fellow officers, emails show.
Capt. Kevin Gilleran is accused by colleague Capt. Lonnie Blackwell of uttering a curse word followed by a derogatory homophobic slur directed at Capt. John Cummings during a July 12 police lineup, according to the emailed account Blackwell submitted two days later to City Attorney Tyisha Toms.
Toms on Tuesday said she advised Blackwell that matters of employee discipline are handled by department heads and this alleged incident was not currently an issue for the municipal law department.
Police Chief Roderick Porter’s office declined to comment, including whether Gilleran had been placed on paid leave, which is not unusual during personnel probes.
“There is a pending investigation,” said Michael Salemme III, the police union president, adding he could say nothing further at this time.
Blackwell in his email to Toms said that it was prompted by a phone call from Salemme, who had received inquiries from “several” officers “as to what had occurred between high-ranking supervisors.”
“I advised Salemme that I would contact the city administration as a courtesy … to explain what had occurred,” Blackwell wrote.
According to Blackwell’s description, Gilleran spoke the slur following a “heated” exchange with Assistant Chief Frank Capozzi, when Cummings appeared to make a joke at Gilleran’s expense. Blackwell estimated there were well over 50 officers present.
The city has a policy prohibiting racial, ethnic or sexist slurs that requires any such incidents be reported to the labor office for investigation. The policy also states, “Any employee who is found to have violated this policy shall be subject to a suspension and/or termination.”
Thomas Gaudett, Mayor Joe Ganim’s chief administrative officer, is gay and read Blackwell’s email. Gaudett said the city does not condone words like those Gilleran is accused of using and, if true, appropriate discipline should be given.
But, Gaudett continued, “I know Capt. Gilleran to be a very good man who’s had a great career in the Bridgeport Police Department and I know he holds no hatred towards people based on their sexual orientation. This should be a learning moment for everyone.”
