Sensibly, Meriden officials hired an independent attorney to examine allegations of nepotism and concealment of officer brutality recently brought against the local police department. Begun in addition to an ongoing state law enforcement investigation into such accusations, the municipal probe represents judicious, ethical business practice, and will help shed light upon an inner-organization dispute which could sully the city's image.

Meriden officers Brian Sullivan and Donald Huston have filed a complaint which claims that fellow-officer Evan Cossette, son of Police Chief Jeffry Cossette, received preferential treatment which covered up acts of brutality. (Hereafter, "Cossette" refers to the officer, and not Chief of Police.) Three in-question, on-shift interactions since mid-2010 between a detainee or suspect and Cossette involved his use of force. At issue is whether, after each occasion, Cossette was given proper levels of discipline as could be warranted by the incidents' differing specifics.

Overall, public perception deservedly remains favorable for the Chief and Deputy Chief Timothy Topulos. And Sullivan and Huston's grievance comes after both were penalized at work at least once since 2010 for separate, personal violations.

On a regular basis, police make on-the-spot decisions about what degree of physical response is suitable for managing suspects, who can be uncooperative and confrontational. A balance must be achieved between enough force to establish safe control of situations and excessive punishment. Incorrect judgment toward leniency might allow dangerous persons opportunity to escape or injure officers. Brutality, however, is never the answer. Complicating such determinations, lawmen generally do not know before engagements what amount of threat, if any, an individual could pose.

Sullivan and Huston first pointed to a May 1, 2010, incident. Viewable on police film obtained by Record-Journal staff (see myrecordjournal.com/video), Cossette and handcuffed DUI arrestee Pedro Temich are seen facing each other in a cell doorway. Next, Temich tumbles backward, striking and fracturing his head on a bench. "Based on what I saw . . . I thought it was something we should look into," said New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington (R-J, 4-9). In our new story of April 6, it was reported that Patrick Gaynor, president of Meriden's police union, said "Temich's level of intoxication likely caused him to lose his balance and fall."

Regardless of whether drunkenness was a factor, cuffed and inebriated detainees must be handled with greater care than Temich's treatment. Officers must be instructed that extra attentiveness is needed for settling impaired persons into cells so that they do not harm themselves.

Ultimately, Cossette was given a written reprimand and was sent to four hours of added training. Two city residents have since sued the police department, alleging that Cossette also used excessive force on them. While one of the unrelated cases spurred an internal affairs review , neither resulted in penalties for Meriden's officer.

Determining by post hoc review whether or not circumstances require certain grades of physical action is an inexact science, varying according to different cases. As officers risk bodily harm to themselves, and to the public, should they restrain certain individuals too lightly, appropriate response is in whatever it takes to achieve sustainable security at police scenes. However, unwarranted force is an offense which may defame those responsible.

As Cossette's relation to his chief could add complexity to proceedings, we believe Meriden police should review nepotism regulations. Additionally, we agree with Dearington that, at the very least, evidence at hand is enough to justify further inquiry. Whether irrefutable proof of brutality exists in Cossette's split-second choices of how to handle suspects is subject to analysis. Should fault be found, anyone accountable must be disciplined appropriately, regardless of professional or familial associations.

Content provided by the Record-Journal, Meriden.