Windsor Locks Police Union Fights Back Against "Anti-Police" Attacks

At the police commission's most recent meeting, members of the police union took an opportunity to take a stand in support of the Windsor Locks Police Department and against criticism of the department in recent years.

"The Windsor Locks Police Union executive board would like to address the constant anti-police attacks upon members of this department," said union representative Paul Sherniack, taking advantage of an opportunity to address the commission.

In particular, the Police Union addressed retired Det. Sgt. Rick Rachele's questioning of department statistics, comments made by "anti-police activist" Peter Tomalonis and the actions of Selectman Denise Balboni and town attorney Scott Storms.

"We've constantly been under attack for, probably, the last two or three years, and we have taken it, and taken it, and taken it. People take full advantage of police officers' inability to publicly comment on these types of things, due to rules and regulations. We have an opportunity in this forum, however, to confront our adversaries and address the issues," said Sherniack.

According to Sherniack, not only have Rachele and Tomalonis verbally attacked the department, but Balboni and Storms "repeatedly undermined this union's efforts to pass our labor contract with the town."

Tomalonis responded to Sherniack's statments, saying, "I am a proud family man who expects our elected officials and police officers to conduct themselves with honor and integrity. These are lifelong values that my wife and I have worked to instill in our four grown children and in our three grandchildren.

"Three years ago, I was among the courageous voices in our community who demanded justice surrounding the tragic death of teenager Henry Dang. Recent events in Windsor Locks suggest our role models are once again losing their way. It’s time to denounce the vile conduct of some of the members of our police department - and their followers - that have been made on social media which would have been against any "Code of Conduct"  that they might have sworn to, but apparently the Town of Windsor Locks doesn't have."

Sherniack read the following statement to the commission:

The Windsor Locks Police Union Executive Board would like to address the constant anti-police attacks upon members of this department. First, retired Dt. Sgt. Rachele recently commented on Department issues, such as its future direction, leadership and morale. He implied his negative comments were actual facts and again used that tactic in a recent newspaper article challenging statistical data in the police budget presentation, which clearly shows the criminal element is alive and well in town and we do not have the resources to proactively and consistently meet this adversary.

Mr. Rachele misled the Commission and our citizens leading us to believe he has relevant first-hand facts and knowledge of the police department. THis would be impossible since he has been retired for three months, has communication with very few people within the department and none at all with its leaders. I wish to state unequivocally that Mr. Rachele is not in any position to speak for the members of this department as a whole, and I, for one, do not want anyone implying that they are speaking for me, personally.

In fact, he has voluntarily accepted a historically unprecedented retirement package presented by the town. We are disturbed and embarrassed that after accepting such a lucrative option, he has now chosen to attack the very people who vigorously fought for that incentive instead of thanking them. We see Mr. Rachele as a narcissist excessively preoccupied with issues of power, control and entitlement, a dictator who leads by fear and intimidation.

His realization that he did not meet minimum qualifications for the chief's position, no longer a police officer (by his own choice), and the department moving forward without him, is driving motivation for his consistently intense level of resentment, bitterness and hostile behavior toward members of this department. It's our belief that no single officer is more valuable than the entire department.

He has inexplicably allied himself with others having the same self serving agenda who he previously opposed, including prior officers who were terminated or separated from service for just cause. They also include anti-police activist Peter Tomalonis, who cloaks himself under the guise of the First Amendment, all the while editing and manipulating his messages, promoting his own skewed views upon his followers based on false and misleading pretenses. He regularly inundates them with anti-police rhetoric bearing little fact, but much more rumor and innuendo upon which to base their opinions, taking full advantage of our limited ability to publicly counter his propaganda war. His position on the budget also surprises us in that we all have taken a state tax increase, which directly benefits his family members employed by the state criminal justice system. Apparently that is acceptable to him since it is conveniently omitted form his daily rants.

This leads me to Selectman (Denise) Balboni and Attorney (Scott) Storms, who has repeatedly undermined this union's effort to pass our labor contract with the town. We learned that Attorney Storms attempted to leak a working draft of the contract to Mr. Tomalonis, conspiring to derail the negotiation of which we believed was in good faith. To our dismay, it appears Selectman Blaboni is connected to these anti-police activists and, by her own admission, collaborates with Mr. Tomalonis in an effort to disrupt the goals of this union and the department.

Selectman Balboni publicly advocates government transparency, which we now see that her actions contradict her words. Her subversive actions against the department and this union would not have been willingly revealed until they were uncovered and brought to light by others. We believe it is unethical for selectmen to secretly use citizens as a conduit for subversive actions against the department's interest as well as the town.

Providing privileged information to undermine the police and its supporters is inherently wrought with unethical implications, and a violation of the public trust. In spite of their effort, this contract unanimously passed by all members present to vote, the entire police commission, and two of three selectmen.

The union board strongly condemns the anti-police actions taken by Selectman Balboni and her allies, who wish to undermine progress for their own political agenda, while excluding the safety and welfare of its citizens and officers. We cannot fathom why they wish for failure rather than success we can all celebrate as we rebuild and move forward.

The townspeople themselves have voiced displeasure with the police department of old and demanded reform. We have heard them and now have a plan to implement such reform, but by not providing the support and means to do so is intentionally setting us up for failure. 
We wish to express our support for Chief Osanitsch, Police Commissino Chairman Brace, Vice Chairman Gaylord Commissioners Lanati, Hall, Cunningham and First Selectman Wawruck, for their leadership, vision and cooperation during a very critical period, who, along with this union, have done all they can in laying the ground work to best ensure the department's future success.

The union is fully aware that political winds change often, but the combination of forces at this moment in time has presented us with an opportunity and a blueprint for success. We have clear goals, solid leadership, and an optimistic future. We have treaded our current retirees and new hires extremely well, negotiated a fair and progressive contract providing more opportunities for our members, while addressing major reorganization of the department to reflect current demands and public expectations.

In the recent past, we struggled through a period of indecisive leadership and a "bunker mentality," where perception and police support suffered greatly. This executive board will not allow that to occur again when our members are attacked by hostile forces.

We hope that those leaders will cease all subversive efforts to derail the budget process, which has a direct bearing on our ability to provide professional services to the community. We ask and welcome all of our leaders to unite with us as we face our challenges in restoring the department to a place of honor, pride and professionalism.

It is much more than changing a patch on our sleeve. It's a major cultural and operational shift to reach modern accepted standards that have been neglected, and a willingness to adopt change.

The officers of the Windsor Locks Police Department have a mission and obligation to move this department forward. We must carry on and continue to evolve, in that there is no choice. The torch has been passed to the officers of today. They are committed and deserve the support of the public and all our political leaders along with an opportunity to have a fulfilling, honorable career serving our community. The quality of life in Windsor Locks and the ability to safeguard the future of our children and families is in the balance.

We will always honor our past, but we must live in the present and look the to the future. We cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by avoiding it today. The time to move forward with positive action is now.