ANSONIA – Members of the city’s police commission met in executive session Sept. 2 to discuss the employment status of an officer arrested last month.
The agenda for the meeting included the item “Personnel matter: Discuss the employment status of Denyce Ruiz.”
Executive sessions are closed-door discussions allowed under specific circumstances described in state law. One of those examples is when a public body is discussing a specific person or employee.
The person must be notified and has the option to have the discussion held in public. Ruiz did not attend the meeting.
The discussion lasted for about ten minutes, with members of the police commission and Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams attending. No action was taken by the commission afterward.
Ruiz, an officer who joined the department in 2024, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct Aug. 21. She had allegedly gotten intoxicated at a music festival and fought with family members after being returned home, leading police to be called to the house.
She is on paid administrative leave.
Her criminal case is pending. A separate, internal investigation by the department has been opened.
Williams told The Valley Indy the purpose of the discussion was to inform the commission that the internal investigation had been opened. He said the department is unable to discuss specifics of the investigation while it continues.
“Right now, we’re just waiting to see how the (internal affairs investigation) comes out. And they’re in the middle of that, so until I get anything, I couldn’t even tell you where we’re going to go with it,” Williams said.
Ruiz’ next court date for the criminal case is Oct. 1.