After Arrest of Two Darien Police Officers, Chief Says Alleged Conduct ‘Intolerable’

The alleged firing of a gun outside a home on Aug. 1 by an off-duty Darien police officer, now arrested with another town police officer is “disturbing,” “profoundly dangerous and wholly irresponsible,” Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello said.

Lovello gave that description in a statement early Tuesday evening in reaction to the arrest of the Darien police officers, James Martin and Daniel Ehret. Both officers were placed on administrative leave immediately after the incident, Lovello said.

Here is Lovello’s statement, emailed at 8:07 p.m.:

During the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, I was notified that an investigation was underway in Darien regarding an incident involving two off-duty Darien police officers.

Happier times: In 2012, Police Chief Duane Lovello handed Officer Daniel Ehret Darien Police Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Bravery. (from the Darien Police Facebook timeline)

The incident included an allegation of a weapon being discharged outside of the single family home belonging to one of the off-duty officers involved.  In order to maintain the highest level of investigative integrity, and to avoid any perception of impropriety, the Darien Police Department, after consulting with the state’s attorney, did turn over full responsibility for the criminal investigation to the Connecticut State Police.

That investigation has now resulted in the arrest by Connecticut State Police of Darien police officers James Martin and Daniel Ehret, both 10-year veterans of the Department.  Both have been charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree; breach of peace in the second degree; and unlawful discharge of a firearm, all misdemeanor violations of Connecticut General Statutes.  Our judicial system will prosecute those criminal charges.

The allegations leading to the arrests are disturbing.  I cannot conceive of anything that would lead police officers to do something so profoundly dangerous and wholly irresponsible.  This conduct is intolerable and does not reflect the professional values or the ethical, responsible, and moral conduct we demand of Darien police officers and their duty to the public we serve.

Public confidence in a law enforcement agency’s professionalism, integrity and professional ability are among the most important assets of a police department.

Throughout its 90-year history, the Darien Police Department has worked hard to earn and maintain that public confidence.  We will do what is necessary to ensure that the public remains confident in the Darien Police Department’s ability to effectively deal with this crisis in a manner that reflects the very high standards that we as an organization demand and the public has every right to expect.

Both officers were placed on administrative leave with pay on the day the incident occurred.  A separate internal investigation will commence, and the findings of that investigation will form the basis of whatever disciplinary measures may be appropriate.

Any inquiries regarding any aspect of the criminal investigation should be referred to the Connecticut State Police.

The picture of Lovello and Ehret attached to this article is from this post on the Darien Police Department’s Facebook account.