Numismatists collected them. Success! Mellekas said troopers, like everyone else, are under stress because of the pandemic. When your union leadership has spoken truth about the reality of the current anti-law-enforcement movement and the potential risks and consequences for our troopers, we are quickly dismissed and referred to as managerial interlopers and malcontents, union officials said. There was an error processing your request. The Yankee Institute for Public Policy says more than 1,600 retired state employees already enjoy pensions that large. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Terms of Service apply. Spin takes a plastic cup ashtray out of the drivers car, throws it to the ground and stomps on it. Trooper Matthew Spina pulled over the driver Monday after he allegedly saw him speeding on Interstate 95 near New Haven. The trooper, Matthew Spina, pulled over the driver, Kevin A. Jette, on Monday after Jette allegedly sped past him on Interstate 95 near New Haven as Spina was pursuing another car for speeding. You have permission to edit this article. At one point during the incident, Spina says: Why am I speeding? 2020 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.), Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com. Spina was placed on an administrative assignment which does not allow him to interact with the public, state police said. The video shows Spina was not wearing a mask or gloves amid the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95. The video quickly went viral, in part due to coverage from the New York Post and the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom. Civilian on Patrol," the driver was identified by state. Don't Threaten. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut state trooper has been reassigned temporarily after a video appeared online showing him berating a driver in an expletive-fueled outburst that derided the. In 2016, Matthew Spina L made $189,353 by working as a State Police Trooper at the Department Of Public Safety. Listen on Apple Podcasts. The spectacles did not survive the weight of the trooper's foot. Theres a (expletive) clue to the public what a bunch of (expletive) you are, he says. Spina let the motorist go without issuing a ticket. The coin does not represent the values and philosophies of Commissioner Rovella and Colonel Mellekas, Foley said. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he has worked for the Valley Advocate, MassLive and The Register Citizen. DL1-16 New Version 2 Dispensary Container CSP Challenge Coin Inspired by Connecticut State Police CT Trooper Matthew Spina $24.99 In Stock. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Posting on Youtube as "C.O.P. Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox. It's us but for your ears. A law enforcement source said the coin has been circulating among state troopers and other police officers. racist or sexually-oriented language. The following day, Jette released another video giving his account. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. He didn't ticket me because he had no reason to ticket me.. Threats of harming another employees dealing with this pandemic. Be Truthful. in at least the last five years Spina has been working so much that his overtime earnings have nearly equaled or exceeded his base annual salary of almost $100,000. By the 1980s, the silver dollarsize medallions had taken off in the military and beyond. Dont you ever [expletive] with me again.. The driver said Spina was right, and Spina responds: I know Im right. He then moves the driver and yells: Sit the [expletive] down. This statement is engraved near the image of the trooper. How the (expletive) am I going to catch a speeder if Im not speeding, Spina says. Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide. Spina then says state police are understaffed. During the rant he screamed that he had only 14 more months before he left the job and couldn't wait to get out. The solution for Connecticut government is simple: Decide you don't want this waste to continue and act appropriately. Join Facebook to connect with Matthew Spina and others you may know. ACT trooper was barred from public interaction after this alleged profanity-filled traffic stop. Matthew Spina. The group also pushed back against recent calls for reforms in policing. It turned out to be Spina, who then pulled behind the man and initiated a traffic stop. lives along with workplace stressors of being on the frontline, Mellekas said. Be Nice. Once I realized it was a police officer, I pulled my hand back in. The driver is off-camera for most of the video but can be heard answering Spinas questions and obeying his commands. Because the bottom line: Corporations and powerful people with deep pockets will never sustain the type of journalism Mother Jones exists to do. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Those who challenge government actions for the right reasons could be forever barred from political office unjustly by this law. A seasoned Connecticut Trooper, Matthew Spina, 19 years of service, deals with a driver with 7 prior arrests, some felonies, including violence and harassment. Police say that no law enforcement action was taken against Jette during the stop. We CT Gov. Every Sunday, receive the most in-depth, interesting, and important stories of the week, picked by editors and readers. It features a golden relief image of the man whos called himself the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government cradling an assault weapon, looking ready to stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone. Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies and light rain after midnight. Coins have been struck to honor an officer who shot and killed four people and commemorate the harassment of a rat who blew the whistle on internal corruption. Coppers Pennies: Official challenge coins tend to be shiny and inoffensive. These remarks invite a review of his payroll records at state Comptroller Kevin Lembo's wonderful OpenCT internet site. Here are some top priorities. Commanding officers voiced their disappointment over the incident and Spina, who has served with the state police for 19 years and is nearing retirement, was suspended from the force. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina is seen cursing at a man who allegedly was speeding on the span also known as the "Q" bridge in New Haven. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Low 46F. But unofficial coins often celebrate cops behaving badly. I love how EVERY comment is edited by staff. Last week, the Hartford Courant reported that a challenge coin featuring Spinas likeness and select quotes from the video including Youre (expletive), how does that sound? and Its called shut the (expletive) up, has been circulating among state police personnel. It recorded the following interaction: Spina approaches the passenger door window, and the driver asks Spina why he was tailgating another driver and speeding. While not an excuse, we are Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. An email seeking comment was sent to Spina on Tuesday. Even still, that police officer had no reason to do what he did. You have permission to edit this article. That phrase could not be confirmed by listening to the video. In this Aug. 7, 2020, file photo, Connecticut Gov. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Spina loudly explains that a car tailed him then passed him and the driver flipped him off while he was following a tractor-trailer looking for a violation. CT trooper barred from public interaction after profanity-filled traffic stop, New Haven police arrest 2 men in probe of shooting near school, Century-old New Haven youth center gets major renovation, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, New Haven mayoral hopeful files elections complaint against mayor, I-95 North in Guilford reopens after two crashes, police say, After identifying Jane Doe, police seek leads in 1975 CT homicide, Latin-American restaurant approved for Frontage Rd. Low 46F. God Bless Our Troops At Home And Abroad . PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. But his name tag, clearly seen in the video of the I-95 stop, identifies him as Trooper Matthew Spina. How the (expletive) am I going to catch a speeder if Im not speeding? he asks rhetorically. For our troopers, they are dealing with the impact on their personal each comment to let us know of abusive posts. The man allegedly showed unhappiness with Spinas driving before the stop, saying Spina was following another car too closely. No Quarter: With 36,000 cops, New York City is rolling in challenge coins. start bringing in more donations than it ever has. Don't Threaten. As the incident continues to unfold, Spina yells that it just never ends in this job., Apparently nearing retirement, Spina yells: I got 14 months. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. We hold our Troopers to high standards and the behavior displayed in the video is not reflective of the values of Commissioner (James) Rovella or my administration, Mellekas said in a statement. pandemic. We won't share it with anyone else. I was following that kid for a reason, and if you hadnt done that (expletive) stupid stunt, Id be with him right now, Spina continues. Rovellas office and Eckersley also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hundreds of Connecticut state troopers voted that they have no confidence in the leadership of Gov. Not today on I-95 as Connecticut State Trooper Matthew Spina goes on a frightening rant . It turns out that in at least the last five years Spina has been working so much that his overtime earnings have nearly equaled or exceeded his base annual salary of almost $100,000. person will not be tolerated. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Ned Lamont and president of state's network of community colleges square off in showdown over state funding. We Seconds later, Spina yells: Mind your own god damn business. He spends far too much time thinking about the Boston Celtics. We're a nonprofit (so it's tax-deductible), and reader support makes up about two-thirds of our budget. | Buffalo News. A seasoned Connecticut Trooper, Matthew Spina, 19 years of service, deals with a driver with 7 prior arrests, some felonies, including violence and harassment. The bigger issue here is whether, now that state government's finances have been devastated by the virus epidemic as well as by pension obligations, and many state residents have been ruined financially, Connecticut can afford a pension system that allows its beneficiaries to use it not just for secure retirement but for a life of luxury. Spina expressed displeasure at the motorists critique. Spina tells the motorist that police officers are permitted by law to disregard traffic laws during the performance of their duties. Not surprisingly, Trump broke the mold with a blinged-out medallion featuring an image of Mar-a-Lago as well as a collectible with portraits of him and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un (yours for $100 at the White House Gift Shop). Weve been made aware of a profane challenge coin that has the image of Connecticut State Police badge, Brian Foley, an aide to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella, said. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2 inch challenge coin. Theres no way to take on the legacy of mass incarceration other than to undo it, one step at a time. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Trooper Matthew Spina from Connecticut State Police appears to have a mental breakdown 14 months from retirement. So how will the state police department handle the Spina case? The real question is: How much longer can this corrupt benefit program continue and drive Connecticut to the bottom of states in economic growth before it ends? The trooper lashes out at the driver for much of the video. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. that is degrading to another person. Who the (expletive) do you think you are, worrying about what Im doing? Spina asks. Success! Matthew Spina L salary was 122% higher than the average and 119% higher than median State Police Trooper salary in 2016. Also you want the pension apply, do the time and you will get it. It appears that being a state government employee is a great gig. This is a carousel. In a message sent to members on July 14, the organization, which represents around 1,040 troopers and sergeants, said it plans to mail out confidential ballots in the coming days so that. After noticing marijuana in a cup inside the car, he orders the man out of his vehicle. Unfortunately, the coin could certainly erode public trust in police, it is emblematic of the challenges facing police leaders as they try to create change. A GoFundMe account set up by someone claiming to be a close friend of Spinas family has raised $1,435 in the last three days. Mind your own business and be on your way. When political appointees fail to make the safety of our members and the public their top priority, failed to preserve the history of the State Police, or make decisions based on preserving their own position, then we cannot in good conscience support them, union president John Castiline wrote in a letter Tuesday. This article is unfortunate, the kid was definitely doing something illegal, driving erratically. All Rights Reserved. accounts, the history behind an article. State paying $12M to settle first case stemming from trooper's distracted driving crash. In 2019, ProPublica found a coin circulating among Customs and Border Protection officers that depicted a mass of people marching under a Honduran flag. An internal affairs investigation has begun and Trooper Spina has been placed in an administrative capacity, which does not allow him to interact with the public. 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He then recites a state statute that allows police officers to disobey traffic laws in the performance of their job. Grow up. The only investors who wont let independent, investigative journalism down are the people who actually care about its futureyou. 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During a traffic stop in May 2020, Connecticut State Trooper Matthew Spina screamed obscenities and placed his hand on his gun while ordering a motorist to get out of the car. A video of Spina mocking and hurling insults at a driver he had pulled over along the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven received international attention in May shortly after being uploaded to YouTube. The man who recorded and uploaded the video that ultimately resulted in Spinas suspension has stated that he was driving on Interstate 95 when he noticed a car driving erratically and made an obscene gesture toward that cars driver in response. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. There are lots of excuses. IE 11 is not supported. His views are not necessarily the newspaper's. Challenge coins are often awarded within the military, police departments, fire departments, and fraternal organizations to recognize outstanding service, but Connecticut State Police officials have said the challenge coin commemorating Spina was produced by an outside company and does not represent the values or philosophy of their agency. Like it or not, Mitch called this one right. Look at the over-generous pay given to the various college employees. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and If subversive groups can raise $100,000 to post bail for a protester destroying public and private property, surely we can show our appreciation to Trooper Spina's years of service on there frontline dealing with people such as this. In 2017, members of the Police Benevolent Association made a coin to raise money for a wounded officer from the 67th Precinct in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. 1. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. I was respectful the entire time and never had hard feelings against the trooper. Chance of rain 80%.. Spina continues to yell at the driver and then appears to start searching the car, according to the video. a tirade famously captured on cellphone video. - YouTube https://www.youtube.com Trooper 1st class Matthew Spina out of Troop F in Westbrook becomes irate with a motorist for flipping him the bird. All sports, all the time, plus unique coverage of UConn athletics, local high school sports, and Connecticut's pro teams, the Sun and Hartford Athletic. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June. Create a password that only you will remember. When the motorist asks why Spina was following so closely behind other cars on the highway, the trooper claims he was running license plates for suspected motor vehicle violations and berates the driver for interfering with his duties. Family desperate but holding out hope for Storrs woman missing in Japan, South Windsor PZC continues to mull warehouse zone changes, Tolland mother, daughter continue fight to end epilepsy, Feds: Hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, East Windsor hearing set on grant program money, Trump rape accuser: 'Not surprising' I didn't call police. that is degrading to another person. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A Connecticut state trooper has been reassigned temporarily after a video appeared online showing him berating a driver in an expletive-fueled outburst that derided the general public and expressed how he cant wait to retire. When Spina asks if the marijuana in the vehicle is in its original dispensary container, and the driver replies that it is not, Spina throws it to the ground and stomps on it. It's a long term and openly-known scam, and hurtful to all ordinary citizens who have to pay for this corrupt bargain. Invalid password or account does not exist. Thus Spina seems close to qualifying for an annual pension of about $100,000. Be Truthful. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Webinar Speaker Bios Matt Spina During a tenure of fourteen years in the military, serving on active duty and in the reserves, Matthew Spina began working with explosives in the United States Army in 1989. The pension system is often used not just for a secure retirement but also for accumulation of great wealth during a second career, long before a beneficiary stops working. This is a carousel. (CBP said this coin was not officially approved.) Another coin for border patrol agents is embossed with a grinning skeleton pointing two smoking pistols; another shows Trump in a CBP uniform with the legend protect the border or close the border.. But some Connecticut residents have defended the trooper, arguing that Spinas lengthy career in law enforcement should not be judged based on a six-minute-long video. Spina goes on to find marijuana in the car the motorist says he has a medical license and continues to speak heatedly to the motorist throughout the stop, justifying his driving as an attempt to catch another motorist. Share Share on Facebook Tweet Tweet on Twitter Pin it Pin on Pinterest . He was acting like a loose cannon, Jette said. Breaking news alerts - delivered to your inbox - the minute we put it online. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The trooper has been transferred to desk duty while his misconduct is under investigation.
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