Opinion ID: 1901900
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Officer Luce's Statement After the Hearing

Text: Detective Lieutenant Bernard Tracy of the Westfield Police Department, in an internal-investigation report dated May 2, 1990, stated: On 4/10/90 during mid-morning hours this writer was in the hallway of the Westfield Police Department. While in the hallway I was approached by Off. David Luce, who I believe was on duty at that time. Officer Luce stated, I did a friend of yours a favor. I replied, Who? He stated, an attorney from Dudley Ave. I explained that I did not know any attorneys from Dudley Ave. and I asked what the attorney's name was. Officer Luce replied, Donnelly, I think. I told Officer Luce I don't know anyone from town by that name and I think maybe this guy lied to you. I asked Officer Luce what the favor was. He then explained that he and Officer Gallagher gave this guy a break for drunk driving. I assumed that Officer Luce meant that they had stopped someone who appeared drunk and when this person stated that he was a friend of mine, they drove him home or made some other arrangements, to avoid arrest.    Detective Tracy stated that after his conversation Officer Luce appeared somewhat confused and concerned and discontinued the conversation. [Emphasis added.] When Lieutenant Tracy learned that the drunk-driving charge against Donnelly had been dismissed, he reported his conversation with Luce to Westfield Police Chief Scutti and Westfield Police Captain Wheatley. At the DEC's request Lieutenant Tracy testified at Norton's and Kress's hearing. Lieutenant Tracy's testimony substantially tracked what he had stated in his internal-investigation report. We note that although at the DEC hearing Luce testified that the charge was dropped at Kress's suggestion, he did not mention that when he spoke to Lieutenant Tracy two weeks after the incident. In testifying before the DEC Lieutenant Tracy attributed the dismissal of the ticket to Officer Gallagher's desire to help people who are friendly to the police. He stated: Officer Gallagher, who has been involved in some disciplinary problems in the Westfield Police Department, has a way of supporting his brother officers and not necessarily being  doing what's proper and what's right because of his feeling for the brotherhood. Lieutenant Tracy's testimony prompted the Westfield Police Department to order an investigation of Officers Gallagher and Luce. Officer Gallagher gave a statement to the investigators. The county prosecutor's office, which investigated the matter, determined that no criminal violations had occurred. The disciplinary hearings of Officers Gallagher and Luce have been held in abeyance pending the result of the present disciplinary proceedings.