Opinion ID: 776746
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Relevant Policies and Procedures of the CSP

Text: 19 Poe argues that Leonard's failure to supervise Pearl more closely, after viewing the static crime scene video, violated Leonard's duties as defined by CSP regulations. Two of the guidelines of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety Administration & Operations Manual applicable to Captain Leonard as a commanding officer read as follows: 20 2.4.3b.(4) Command personnel shall delegate authority and shall supervise the work of subordinates closely, holding frequent conferences to guide and direct activities. 21 . . . . . 22 2.4.3b.(10) Command personnel shall monitor the proper use of discretion by subordinates, ensuring that department personnel adhere to and abide by the appropriate rules, regulations and department policies and procedures. 23 Poe asserts that there is also a policy of the CSP prohibiting male officers from being alone with female civilians. Such a policy, if one existed, would suggest that Leonard failed to follow his duty under subsection 10 of the guidelines because he did not take any action after viewing the static crime scene video, which, Poe argues, should have indicated to Leonard that Pearl was alone with a female civilian. Even if Poe could point to evidence that Leonard should have known that Pearl was alone with the motel employee from the videotape, a contention we have already rejected, see supra note 5, her assertion regarding the existence of such a policy does not withstand scrutiny. 24 At oral argument, Poe conceded that there was no policy against male officers being alone with female civilians. Tr. of Oral Argument at 25. Despite this concession, Poe contends that this policy is a CSP norm and cites a CSP sergeant's confidential investigative report of a misconduct complaint filed against Pearl in 1983 alleging that he made improper advances toward a woman he escorted to and from a hospital. The sergeant failed to conclusively establish the complainant's allegations but concluded that [w]hat can be demonstrated is that the Trooper did not utilize the best of [judgment] nor follow standard procedure in placing himself alone in the room with a female victim.... 6 There is no evidence that Leonard knew or should have known of this standard procedure or norm, nor that he read this confidential report. Certainly, there is no evidence of such a procedure's official recognition.