SERGEANT KNEW OF HOME DRUG ACTIVITY

Internal Investigation Report On Perry Made Public

A state police internal investigation report released last week found that
Police Sgt. William T. Perry was aware of alleged drug activity at his home.

Yet, despite that knowledge, the 101-page report stated, "Sgt. William
Perry allowed this activity to continue with limited intervention."

The report was released to the Record-Journal last week after the state
Freedom of Information Commission ruled last month that it fell under the
Freedom of Information Act's definition of a public document. Sgt. Paul
Kenefick, who wrote the report, concluded that the sergeant attempted to
help his wife and family while struggling to maintain his role as a police
officer.

But the report concludes that as a result of his personal struggle at home,
Sgt. Perry violated numerous Police Department regulations.

The Police Commission initiated the internal investigation following the
drug arrest of Sgt. Perry's wife, Hope, on Sept. 25, 2000. Specifically, it
was Police Commissioner Henry Forgione who jump-started the investigation,
in November 2001, to avoid the appearance of improprieties.

"It's obvious I know she smoked, she has a problem," Sgt. Perry told state
police Sgt. Ed Gould during an interview. "I was trying my best to get her
under control to hopefully get the help that she needs, all right."

The report states that Sgt. Perry appeared frustrated when talking to state
police. Sgt. Perry also explained the reasons his wife began to use
marijuana almost two years ago, how she hid her habit and how on one
occasion, she had denied using marijuana with friends while at a party when
questioned by her husband.

State police began its criminal investigation Sept. 22, 2000, after a
report by the state Department of Children and Families on the alleged drug
activity at the Perry home on 251 Rolling Hill Lane.

On Sept. 25, 2000, two state police investigators went to Southington
police headquarters to notify Sgt. Perry of the investigation. Sgt. Perry
gave written consent for state police to search his home without a warrant.

That night, investigators with the Eastern District Major Crime Squad
searched the house, with Sgt. Perry and his wife present.

Police reported that they "immediately smelled a strong, distinct odor of
marijuana," when entering the home. Police seized more than three pounds of
marijuana, pipes, a scale, small plastic bags and several marijuana plants
drying in the basement. They allegedly found a plant growing in the back
yard. Hope Perry told police it was all hers, and that her husband was not
involved. Pictures of the items seized are included in the report.

Furthermore, the report states that Sgt. Perry, the son of retired Police
Chief William B. Perry, described his wife as "slick," a woman who didn't
tell him everything because of his position with the Police Department. But
Sgt. Perry also said he had suspicions about her habit, and that she used
marijuana to relieve the pain of various medical conditions.

After the drug raid, Hope Perry was charged with illegal possession of
marijuana, cultivating marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She is still behind bars at the York Correctional Institute in Niantic.
She's been there since October, after officials at New Britain Superior
Court ordered her locked up with bond for being "uncooperative."

In the report, Sgt. Perry said he had noticed Hope Perry's "garden" in the
back yard during the spring of 2000, and had mowed down the marijuana plants.

Sgt. Perry told state police investigators he had no knowledge of the
plants in the basement.

But the police concluded that there was no attempt to hide the "large
amounts of marijuana hanging from the rafters in the basement," and all
items seized were "in plain view."

Former Chief Perry could not be reached for comment, but in the report, he
said that Hope Perry's drug habit might've started after his wife's death
in 1999, which his daughter-in-law took hard.

The retired chief said that, although there was no evidence that Hope Perry
was using drugs, he still asked his son to keep an eye on her and suggested
counseling for her. Further, he explained, if he knew about the alleged
marijuana garden at 251 Rolling Hill Lane, he would've arrested Hope Perry.
William B. Perry said his son has worked hard to deal with the family issues.

William Palmieri, president of Local 333 of the International Brotherhood
of Police Officers, said Friday he hasn't read the report.

"That issue is a past issue. I would prefer to talk about the future then
the past," Palmieri said. "Right now we (the department) have the chance to
make changes."

Palmieri would not elaborate on the changes.

Police Commission Chairman Reno Pelletier echoed Palmieri.

"I have no comment on the report," Pelletier said. "I made my peace on that
and made my case when the situation was before us. I no longer want to talk
about it and we have to move on."

As a result of the internal investigation report, Sgt. Perry was issued a
30-day suspension by the commission after it reviewed its findings in a
two-hour executive session on Feb. 22, 2001.

The term of Sgt. Perry's suspension is 15 days without pay, which can be
taken in three-day increments over the course of five months. The 15 days
left over would be held in abeyance within two calendar years. When the
commission made its decision, Pelletier told the Record-Journal, he
suggested Sgt. Perry be demoted.

Union lawyer John Walsh of New Haven said following the decision that the
discipline was too excessive and didn't fit the report's conclusion. Walsh
didn't return repeated phone calls last week.

Sgt. Perry, when contacted Friday, said he couldn't comment on the report.