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Town Fires Three Police Officers

In an action that came as a surprise for many residents, the town has fired three police officers, including two female officers who filed a discrimination lawsuit last year. All three officers have been accused of “harassing and unprofessional conduct,” according to a statement released by the Madison Police Department (MPD).

The officers were identified as Sgt. Kimberly Lauria, Officer Daniel Foito, and Officer Natasha Pucillo, according to Lieutenant and Public Information Officer, Jeremy Yorke. All three dismissed officers had been placed on administrative leave back in June.

The town Police Commission voted to terminate the three officers on Sept. 2 during a special meeting.

A statement issued by the Police Department said an “independent investigation” was conducted on behalf of the town and “concluded that these officers’ harassing and unprofessional conduct violated the Madison Police Department’s Code of Conduct, Policies and Procedures.”

According to the statement, “the Madison Police Department has zero tolerance for any type of harassment and/or behavior that would affect the working conditions of a fellow employee.”

A police spokesperson said the department would offer no additional statements.

Last year, Lauria and Pucillo filed a lawsuit against the department alleging they were subjected to a hostile work environment and in one specific instance were “threatened” by a colleague in a social media post. They also claimed that they were passed over for job assignments that were given to male officers with the same or fewer qualifications.

According to court documents, there is no action scheduled in the lawsuit until next year in July of 2023.

According to court records and statements made by the Stephen J. Fitzgerald, the attorney representing Pucillo and Lauria, of the six women who have been members of Madison’s police force in the last decade, four have left the department and three have filed lawsuits alleging discrimination.

Fitzgerald released a statement last week condemning the action of the Police Commissioner’s Board and Chief John “Jack” Drumm.

"The action taken today by the Madison Police Commission and Chief Drumm is the latest example of discrimination and retaliation against female officers in the Town’s Police Department. As we have previously alleged in the Superior Court complaint filed on behalf of Sgt. Kimberly Lauria and Officer Natasha Pucillo, during Chief Drumm’s tenure the Department employed only a small number of female officers, and every single one of those officers complained about unfair treatment of women at Madison PD.”

Fitzgerald’s continued, "[f]or the last four years Lauria and Pucillo were the only surviving female officers. In 2020, each of them filed complaints of discrimination with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). After filing those complaints, the Department ramped up its pattern of poor treatment against female officers by using retaliatory discipline and internal affairs investigations to harass and intimidate the officers.

"In June 2021, Lauria and Pucillo were threatened by a male colleague. The Department leadership was aware of the threat but did nothing to discipline their male colleague. Instead, when Lauria and Pucillo complained to Town officials about the Department’s inaction, Chief Drumm used the Department’s internal affairs powers to advance the absurd claim that Lauria and Pucillo 'harassed' the male officer who had threatened them. The discrimination against women in the Madison Police Department is on-going and obvious to anyone willing to take an objective look,” Fitzgerald added.

Fitzgerald said that he fully expects the officers to be rehired and for further action to be mandated against the department.

"Now that Sgt. Lauria, Officer Pucillo and the one male officer who supported them in the face of the threat have been fired, they will proceed with the arbitration process that will undoubtedly result in the reversal of this decision. In the meantime, Lauria and Pucillo will return to the CHRO to add complaints about this latest act of discrimination. They will also proceed with the Superior Court action with the hope that it will finally bring change to a Department that has discriminated against women for far too long."

It is unclear how Foito became involved in the investigation and was fired, other than the MPD statement that alleges all of the officers were terminated for “harassing and unprofessional conduct.”

Lauria, a sergeant hired in 2005, was the most senior member of the three. Foito was hired in 2013 and Pucillo was hired in 2015, according to a police spokesperson.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons, said she could not comment publicly in detail, but issued a statement praising the board of Police Commissioners for their work.

“The Board of Police Commissioners is an independent body charged with the oversight of the employees of the police department, including the hiring and discharge of police officers. Today, these citizen volunteers made this decision in order to protect the integrity of our police department and maintain the level of professionalism our community deserves. The Town is grateful for the Commission's service and stands in unity with the many sworn officers in Madison who faithfully serve our community every day with honesty and respect, making Madison such a great, safe place to live,” Lyons said.