SEYMOUR — An inspector in charge of the detective department often came in late, took long lunches, left work early, and spent hours away from his job while being paid, essentially leaving the detectives in his command without supervision, according to accusations outlined in an internal affairs report.
“(Inspector Joseph) DeNigris’ actions are deemed inappropriate, excessive and not within conventional expectations of the police department’s administrative staff,” the internal affairs report states. “DeNigris’ time spent away from the police department is beyond acceptable and has taken away from him being able to efficiently perform the essential tasks and/or duties of his position as supervisor of Detectives.”
Ultimately, on May 26, after a series of executive session meetings, the Seymour Board of Police Commissioners opted to end the disciplinary hearing against DeNigris by signing a “memorandum of understanding and findings” with him.
According to the agreement:
- DeNigris violated two counts of the department’s policy on who can ride in police cars. He allegedly gave rides twice to private citizens.
- He was suspended for a week without pay (May 27 until June 4).
- He has to pay $2,800 from his accumulated “bank time”
Emails seeking comment were sent to DeNigris and a labor lawyer present at the executive session meetings.
An investigation into the inspector started in February, after Seymour Police Chief Paul Satkowski noticed “Inspected DeNigris had been unaccounted for from his duties” for extended periods of time with no explanation.
According to the internal affairs report, the department’s two deputy chiefs, Stephen Prajer and Roberto Rinaldi, validated Chief Satkowski’s concern.
Rinaldi spoke with DeNigris about the issue. DeNigris allegedly told the deputy chief he was following up on cases or performing his role as a supervisor.
Satkowski “determined further inquiry was necessary.”
The chief ordered an “integrity test,” presumably unbeknownst to DeNigris.
A GPS monitoring device was installed in DeNigris’ police vehicle (allowed under the Seymour Police Department Duty Manual, according to the internal affairs report).
The investigation showed that between Dec. 11, 2019 and Feb. 12, 2020, DeNigris spent 62 hours and 38 minutes at this home during work hours. He spent more than 4 hours at his house during work hours on two occasions, according to the report.
The report stated that DeNigris was paid $2,808.38 for hours spent at his private residence. The report notes Seymour police get 30 minutes for lunch, but that time was not deducted because DeNigris allegedly said he doesn’t always take lunch.
The report also notes that DeNigris “habitually came to work late and/or has been observed leaving early.” The report cites 22 examples of the inspector arriving late (often 10 to 15 minutes) or leaving early.
DeNigris was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 12 pending the outcome of the investigation. He talked to the internal affairs investigator on Feb. 20 and Feb. 27 about his time spent away from the office.
The inspector was cooperative with the investigation and found to be credible, according to the report. He acknowledged sometimes taking long lunches and sometimes running personal errands while on town time. He also said that he twice gave personal acquaintances rides to their jobs in his town-issued police vehicle.
The internal affairs report cited DeNigris for six rules violations, including four counts of neglect of duty.
The Valley Independent Sentinel received a copy of the IA report, along with a memorandum of understanding and findings, through a Freedom of Information request.
The Seymour Police Commission did not discuss their findings in public.
Below is the complete meeting during which they settled with DeNigris and a labor lawyer.
The internal affairs report cites two other officers — Detective Michael Jasmin and Detective Joseph Matusovich — also took “excessive” trips to their personal residences during working hours.
