He was acting like a loose cannon, Jette said. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism We'd love to hear eyewitness Invalid password or account does not exist. Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven in May. The Yankee Institute for Public Policy says more than 1,600 retired state employees already enjoy pensions that large. The spectacles did not survive the weight of the trooper's foot. Add to cart Version 2. After berating the driver for questioning his actions before the traffic stop, Spina says, Unbelievable. investigation after being made aware of a troopers disturbing behavior in a He spends far too much time thinking about the Boston Celtics. In a release, Col. Stavros Mellekas described Spinas behavior as disturbing and not indicative of the great work of the women and men of the Connecticut State Police and their dedication to protecting and serving during this pandemic.. You couldnt leave it alone, could you? Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Stew Leonard Sr. remembered at service: 'Most positive energy', Haar: Lamont deflects demands to spend CT surplus on education, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to CT, The CT legislature has 500 bills. Those who challenge government actions for the right reasons could be forever barred from political office unjustly by this law. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and The trooper spoke down to me and hit me with a $375 ticket.all of which I deserved. Join Facebook to connect with Matthew Spina and others you may know. For Spina seems to be only middle-aged, and achieving pension entitlement by middle age through government employment and not retiring but instead taking other employment for 15 years or so has become a hallowed and lucrative tradition in Connecticut. It turned out to be Spina, who then pulled behind the man and initiated a traffic stop. Stew Leonard Sr. remembered at service: 'Most positive energy', Haar: Lamont deflects demands to spend CT surplus on education, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to CT, The CT legislature has 500 bills. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Border Patrol, among other groups, though the coins are never sold as official or authorized.. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. With the fellow stowed in the back seat, the trooper spotted the man's eyeglasses on the ground. The video begins with Spina approaching the drivers passenger-side window. Spina quickly asks: Why were you speeding?. Spina goes on to find marijuana in the car the motorist says he has a medical license and continues to speak heatedly to the motorist throughout the stop, justifying his driving as an attempt to catch another motorist. It turns out that in at least the last five years Spina has been working so much that his overtime earnings have nearly equaled or exceeded his base annual salary of almost $100,000. An email seeking comment was sent to Spina on Tuesday. Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights. Watch on Mellekas did not name the trooper, but the video shows his name tag, which identifies him as Matthew Spina. It is not clear what role, if any, Eckersley had in disciplining Spina. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? In a message sent to members on July 14, the organization, which represents around 1,040 troopers and sergeants, said it plans to mail out confidential ballots in the coming days so that rank-and-file personnel can register their displeasure with the agencys decision to place Trooper Matthew Spina on administrative leave pending the results of an internal affairs investigation into his conduct. lives along with workplace stressors of being on the frontline, Mellekas said. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. During the rant he screamed that he had only 14 more months before he left the job and couldn't wait to get out. CT trooper barred from public interaction after profanity-filled traffic stop, New Haven police arrest 2 men in probe of shooting near school, Century-old New Haven youth center gets major renovation, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, New Haven mayoral hopeful files elections complaint against mayor, I-95 North in Guilford reopens after two crashes, police say, After identifying Jane Doe, police seek leads in 1975 CT homicide, Latin-American restaurant approved for Frontage Rd. The trooper was removed from working with the public and placed under investigation after a video of him berating a motorist in an expletive-laced rant on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven was posted on YouTube. A state police news release said that Raury P. Duffy, 34, of Nathans Lane, was driving with a suspended or revoked license when Trooper Matthew Spina stopped him on an entrance to Interstate 95 . When political appointees fail to make the safety of our members and the public their top priority, failed to preserve the history of the State Police, or make decisions based on preserving their own position, then we cannot in good conscience support them, union president John Castiline wrote in a letter Tuesday. The video also shows Spina making Jette exit the car and briefly puts him in handcuffs after seeing something related to marijuana. great work of the women and men of the Connecticut State Police and their IE 11 is not supported. sensitive to this and also referred the trooper to our employee assistance Rovella received 681 votes of no confidence from troopers, Eckersley received 682. When your union leadership has spoken truth about the reality of the current anti-law-enforcement movement and the potential risks and consequences for our troopers, we are quickly dismissed and referred to as managerial interlopers and malcontents, union officials said. No more golden pensions. "While the Trooper's behavior in the . Every Sunday, receive the most in-depth, interesting, and important stories of the week, picked by editors and readers. Spina then says state police are understaffed. The pension system is often used not just for a secure retirement but also for accumulation of great wealth during a second career, long before a beneficiary stops working. Numismatists collected them. Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide. Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl . start bringing in more donations than it ever has. By Matthew Spina , Charlie Specht. - YouTube https://www.youtube.com Trooper 1st class Matthew Spina out of Troop F in Westbrook becomes irate with a motorist for flipping him the bird. And as cops began equipping themselves and acting more like soldiers, they started minting their own. do recognize that all of us everywhere are under extreme stress during this Be Truthful. We are troopers and we will fight back when treated with disrespect, he added. 1st Responder Nation, a company dedicated to these types of coins, often used as tokens of appreciation, advertises the coin with Spinas name for $13.99. I am willing to bet Mr. Powell wouldnt be able to cut it. Trooper Matthew Spina from Connecticut State Police appears to have a mental breakdown 14 months from retirement. Error! That part was inaudible. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. Youre fucked, Spina yelled in a video captured by the driver. Grow up. If subversive groups can raise $100,000 to post bail for a protester destroying public and private property, surely we can show our appreciation to Trooper Spina's years of service on there frontline dealing with people such as this. CT Gov. Chump Change: Presidents since Bill Clinton have dispensed challenge coins. Own your actions and stop complaining. CT State Trooper Loses His Cotton Picking Mind On Chud Who Flipped Him The Bird, Smashes His Pot And Threatens To Throw Him Off Of New Haven Highway Bridge Trooper Matthew Spina of the Connecticut State Police is in hot water after a rage filled stop in New Haven took a turn for the hardo. We have also recently launched a resiliency program to help all our employees dealing with this pandemic, Mellekas said. It is also evidence that political appointees talk out of both sides of their mouths and when a crucial point is reached, they choose their own political survival, rather than standing up for what is right for our troopers.. But if Spina does not complete 20 years of service as he plans to do next year, he will not qualify for a state pension until he turns 65. That phrase could not be confirmed by listening to the video. I am doing my [expletive] job. He then recites a state statute that allows police officers to disobey traffic laws in the performance of their job. Heads and Tales: Its not just cops who have embraced challenge coins. See our GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Family desperate but holding out hope for Storrs woman missing in Japan, South Windsor PZC continues to mull warehouse zone changes, Tolland mother, daughter continue fight to end epilepsy, Feds: Hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, East Windsor hearing set on grant program money, Trump rape accuser: 'Not surprising' I didn't call police. There was an error processing your request. Jette said he saw Spina driving erratically in traffic and flipped his middle finger at him without realizing he was a police officer. But unofficial coins often celebrate cops behaving badly. In 2019, ProPublica found a coin circulating among Customs and Border Protection officers that depicted a mass of people marching under a Honduran flag. Share Share on Facebook Tweet Tweet on Twitter Pin it Pin on Pinterest . In 2017, members of the Police Benevolent Association made a coin to raise money for a wounded officer from the 67th Precinct in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. We All Rights Reserved. It usually starts by asking for a driver's license and registration. 1. We All rights reserved, Southington Drive-In Announces Summer Movie Schedule, Police Identify Man Found Dead on Side of the Road in Watertown, 7 Bodies Found During Search for Missing Oklahoma Teens, Here's Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Kentucky Derby, NBC & Telemundo Connecticut Job Opportunities. We won't share it with anyone else. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Jette said that Spina had no grounds to pull him over and wants to make sure the officer is held accountable. Rovellas office and Eckersley also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The letter singles out Lt. Col. John Eckersley, who heads the state polices office of field operations, accusing him of demeaning his subordinates and failing to publicly defend the rank-and-file troopers he oversees. For our troopers, they are dealing with the impact on their personal The trooper has been transferred to desk duty while his misconduct is under investigation. Spina then says, You think Im kidding? That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. in East Haven, On New Haven's Rosette Street, backyard encampment grows, Police: Branford man arrested in Madison watch store robbery, Reported odor in New Haven home prompts investigation, New Haven celebrates $12M state grant to rebuild Long Wharf Park, On Rosette Street in the Hill, backyard encampment largely coexists with neighbors, Former UConn women's basketball star Lou Lopez Snchal sidelined to start Dallas Wings training camp, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to Connecticut, Our own little slice of Heaven. Shelley's Garden Center closes after 74 years on Main Street, Chick-fil-A in, Trader Joe's & DQ out as Shelton development seeks fresh start, After identifying Jane Doe, East Haven police seek leads in 1975 killing of teen, Joe Ganim and Justin Elicker each face opponents with plenty of experience inside City Hall. He is not wearing a mask or gloves despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Theres a (expletive) clue to the public, what a bunch of (expletive) you are, Spina yells. Was Trooper Spina a bit over the top? The solution for Connecticut government is simple: Decide you don't want this waste to continue and act appropriately. We hold our Troopers to high standards and the behavior displayed in the video is not reflective of the values of Commissioner Rovella or my administration, Mellekas said in the release. Last year Spina made $99,000 in regular pay, $97,000 in overtime, and another $7,000 in miscellaneous pay, presumably private-duty pay, another sort of overtime, for a total of $203,000. or anything. This is a carousel. DL1-16 new Version 2 Dispensary Container CSP Challenge Coin inspired by Connecticut State Police CT Trooper Matthew Spina. Dont you ever f--- with me again, Spina can be heard saying as he leaves. Youre [expletive] speeding, which also was engraved on the back of the coin. Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95. His first role was as a combat engineer and later as Special Forces Engineer Sergeant. Unfortunately, the recent treatment and actions taken against TFC Matt Spina is the ultimate example of a serious failure of our leadership and is evidence the statement of We have your back is artificial and insincere, the message reads. CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE TROOPER LOSES IT! Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. And we hope you might consider pitching in before moving on to whatever it is you're about to do next. person will not be tolerated. Civilian on Patrol," the driver was identified by state. Pension racket may explain state trooper's crazed rage. The department did not identify Spina by name in an initial release, but confirmed his identity in a follow-up email. Also you want the pension apply, do the time and you will get it. The company, reached through Facebook, said they had designed the coin. that is degrading to another person. The site claims to make medals for customers including the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina is seen cursing at a man who allegedly was speeding on the span also known as the "Q" bridge in New Haven. No Quarter: With 36,000 cops, New York City is rolling in challenge coins. Copyright 2023 Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress. In a message sent to members on July 14, the organization, which represents around 1,040 troopers and sergeants, said it plans to mail out confidential ballots in the coming days so that. As he searches the mans car for additional contraband, the trooper goes on to justify his tactics. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. A recent one reportedly made by a former Louisville officer shows nightclub-wielding cops in front of the flaming skyline of the city where protesters took to the streets after Breonna Taylor was shot to death in a botched police raid. 01-03-2022, 08:35 PM CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE TROOPER LOSES IT! "You're fucked,". https://www.wfsb.com/news/youtube-record. In the video Spina expresses contempt for the public he polices, and he rejoices that he has only 14 months to go until retirement. hold our Troopers to high standards and the behavior displayed in the video is He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. Why might Spina drive himself crazy with overwork? God help you if theres anything illegal in this car.. The vote comes after the union, which represents some 850 state troopers, criticized the leaderships handling of Trooper Matthew Spina. Threats of harming another accounts, the history behind an article. Given the department's habit of concealing or minimizing misconduct by troopers, Spina may receive no serious discipline at all, or the department may delay any discipline until Spina completes the 14 months he needs for his 20-year qualification, thereby making discipline meaningless. Theres an (expletive) clue to the (expletive) public, what a bunch of (expletives) you are.. Unfortunately for our command, our troopers ignore such propaganda campaigns and know, without needing to openly express it in the presence of command for fear of retaliation, that the union has a long history of protecting and defending our troopers, even when it was not a popular position or politically correct, and without concern for the empty threatened consequences., The statement ends on a note of solidarity: Dont worry Trooper Spina the union has your back!. The vote produced similar results of no confidence in Commissioner James C. Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services, the state agency that oversees the force, and Lt. Col. John Eckersley. The president is also the subject of many unofficial coins, including one for the NYPD counterterrorism unit that protects Trump Tower. Until then we shall remain their captives. A letter obtained by the newspaper provided Spinas treatment as an example of grievances against the departments current leadership. Invalid password or account does not exist. A caption read: For those who like hunting there is no hunting like the hunting of man. One version included an image of a Black man being cornered by armed officers with the inscription LET THE GAMES BEGIN. Several NYPD Gang Squad coins feature the logo of the comic book vigilante the Punisher, whose co-creator has called out its use as a symbol co-opted by forces of oppression and to intimidate black Americans. Asked about one of the Punisher coins, an NYPD spokesperson told the New York Daily News that the idea that it encourages officers to be anything but professional and duty-bound is ridiculous., 3. You had to be a (expletive) American.. Joseph DiVincenzo at Turtle Back Zoo, Flying Above Tornado-Damaged Virginia Beach, UK's diverse communities ambivalent about king's coronation. The trooper, Matthew Spina, pulled over the driver, Kevin A. Jette, on Monday after Jette allegedly sped past him on Interstate 95 near New Haven as Spina was pursuing another car for speeding.. Theres no way to take on the legacy of mass incarceration other than to undo it, one step at a time. Matthew Spina. Blame the labor negotiators who have enabled this, but the ones who can fix it are the supervisors who are now corruptly approving the overtime (expecting it themselves when they retire), and blame the top managers in the public service agencies, the comptroller, and the fovernor who do not stop it administratively and thereby are complicit in the loss of faith in government. The state police union also sued the state over the police accountability law signed by the governor in the wake of protests over the killing of George Floyd. One side was embossed with a Jamaican flag and the phrase Fort Jaha racist nickname for the neighborhood, which has a large West Indian community. The driver says he was only going 60, and Spina explains the speed limit is 40. The driver, who is not identified, posted the video on YouTube. The coin, which includes a state police insignia on the front with words that include every [law enforcement officer]s hero, also includes an apparent engraving of a trooper along with lines from the tirade viewed widely on YouTube. not reflective of the values of Commissioner Rovella or my administration, the Imagine over a thousand retirees getting over $100,000 plus benefits for retiring. We hold our Troopers to high standards and the behavior displayed in the video is not reflective of the values of Commissioner (James) Rovella or my administration, Mellekas said in a statement. When Spina asks if the marijuana in the vehicle is in its original dispensary container, and the driver replies that it is not, Spina throws it to the ground and stomps on it. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. View the profiles of people named Matthew Spina. Connecticut State Trooper Matthew Spina of Troop F in Westbrook blew a gasket during a traffic stop in New Haven. Nicholas Rondinone can be reached at nrondinone@courant.com. Be Nice. It features a golden relief image of the man whos called himself the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government cradling an assault weapon, looking ready to stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone. Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation. We won't share it with anyone else. As the driver attempts to say that he has a prescription, Spina orders him out of the vehicle. State police said they would release more information as it becomes available. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina is seen cursing at a man who allegedly was speeding on the span also known as the Q bridge in New Haven. Be Nice. The first military challenge coins, one story goes, were handed out in 1969 by a US Army colonel to build camaraderie in his Special Forces unit. Not today on I-95 as Connecticut State Trooper Matthew Spina goes on a frightening rant . The following list is based on analytics calculated for JournalInquirer.com, specifically the number of times each story was viewed. Family desperate but holding out hope for Storrs woman missing in Japan, South Windsor PZC continues to mull warehouse zone changes, Tolland mother, daughter continue fight to end epilepsy, Feds: Hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, East Windsor hearing set on grant program money, Trump rape accuser: 'Not surprising' I didn't call police. How the [expletive] am I gonna catch a speeder if Im not speeding? Spina yells to the driver. We have also recently launched a resiliency program to help all our An email seeking comment was sent to Spina on Tuesday. Sep 16, 2021 Updated Jan 27, 2022. Middletown, Connecticut - Wednesday, January 29, 2019: James C. Rovella, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the former Hartford Police Chief who now heads the Connecticut State Police. His views are not necessarily the newspaper's. that is degrading to another person. Weve been made aware of a profane challenge coin that has the image of Connecticut State Police badge, Brian Foley, an aide to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella, said. It's us but for your ears. ULMG-1559. Terms of Service apply. This article is unfortunate, the kid was definitely doing something illegal, driving erratically. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Chance of rain 80%.. Breaking news alerts - delivered to your inbox - the minute we put it online. He also complains that the state police are understaffed. Here are some top priorities. The media has really gone off the deep end. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. 2020 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.), Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Choose wisely! Coins have been struck to honor an officer who shot and killed four people and commemorate the harassment of a rat who blew the whistle on internal corruption. Spina loudly explains that a car tailed him then passed him and the driver flipped him off while he was following a tractor-trailer looking for a violation. The driver was pulled over for speeding and briefly placed in handcuff but was not issued any citations. Keep it Clean. The driver said Spina was right, and Spina responds: I know Im right. He then moves the driver and yells: Sit the [expletive] down. This statement is engraved near the image of the trooper. Ben Lambert was formerly a reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group, covering police and public safety in the New Haven area. I love how EVERY comment is edited by staff. I was respectful the entire time and never had hard feelings against the trooper. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. The man allegedly showed. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Trooper Spina, who also served 14 additional years with the National Guard and Army Corp of Engineers, had 11 months to go to receive his earned full retirement. In that case he probably would have to keep working another 15 or 20 years in a different job. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Don't Threaten. It appears Spina is ready to return to his police vehicle when he asks the driver for his marijuana. 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