The Ansonia Board of Police Commissioners has scheduled a hearing for next week to determine whether officer Mustafa Salahuddin should be disciplined for not returning to work.
Salahuddin has been on leave since he was accused of stealing a garden hose from the department in 2008.
He was found not guilty of the charge at a trial in March, but has not returned to work, citing post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the accusation and trial.
But the police department wants him to return, according to a letter written by city counsel Francis Teodosio.
“Despite my earlier letters requesting that you resume employment, you continue your unauthorized absence,” Teodosio wrote in the letter, dated Oct. 7.
Article continues after the letter.
Salahuddin Mustafa Letter 10 – 7‑10
The letter notifies Salahuddin’s attorney, Rob Serafinowicz, that the disciplinary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14.
Serafinowicz responded in a letter dated Friday.
“I must say I am perplexed,” Serafinowicz wrote, before disputing Teodosio’s claims and requesting more time to prepare for the hearing.
Article continues after the Serafinowicz letter.
The two letters detail several points:
- Officer Salahuddin has been working for the Greater Bridgeport Traffic Authority while on administrative leave from the department during the investigation and trial. Serafinowicz says the employment was allowed by the department to help Salahuddin supplement his lost overtime hours during the investigation. The department allows only part-time work. The city claims that Salahuddin has been employed full-time outside the department.
- Teodosio questions the credentials of the doctor whose opinion Salahuddin has relied on for his PSTD declaration. Serafinowicz says the doctor was recommended by the department’s employee assistance program — a contracted service to help employees get through personal situations.
- Serafinowicz asked that two police commissioners recuse themselves from the disciplinary hearing because he has filed complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunitiesagainst them. He plans to file civil suits against them. Part of the complaint, Serafinowicz said, is based on statements Commissioner Nicholas Amico made about the case during a police commission meeting.
Chief Kevin Hale referred comments to the city’s attorney. He said Teodosio’s letter “speaks for itself.”
