Hartford Police Officer Resigns Amid Falsification of Traffic Reports and Racial Profiling Allegations
A former Hartford police officer, Michael Fallon, has recently resigned from the Hartford Police Department after being accused of fabricating 33 traffic reports. These inaccuracies were revealed during a routine audit, raising concerns of racial profiling within the department.
Fallon’s resignation occurred in March, shortly before he could be interviewed and disciplined for his actions. He admitted to deliberately falsifying activity reports over a four-week period spanning from December 2022 to January 2023. The internal affairs investigation discovered that Fallon had not only over-reported traffic stops but also provided incorrect information regarding gender and race on multiple occasions.
According to Ken Barone, Associate Director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at UConn, the investigation concluded that Fallon had falsified at least 33 racial profiling records. Additionally, a traffic-stop-related arrest warrant was falsely reported.
The reasons behind Fallon’s actions were his desire to embellish his activities and avoid disappointing his supervisors with a limited amount of activity. However, his deceitful behavior has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of police officers who are entrusted with public safety.
Ivelisse Correa, Legislative Policy Director and Vice President of BLM 860, expressed disappointment regarding the situation. She emphasized the importance of being able to trust the individuals hired and paid with taxpayers’ money, hoping that others would learn from this incident.
Chief Jason Thody of the Hartford Police Department stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy for such conduct. He commended the department’s meticulous process, which successfully identified discrepancies, initiated an investigation, and swiftly took appropriate action once the misconduct was substantiated.
While the focus remains on Fallon’s actions, there is no current concern that this issue is more widespread in the Hartford Police Department, according to Barone.
In response to the incident, the Hartford Police Department has initiated the process of seeking to prevent Fallon from being certified as a police officer elsewhere.
The falsification of traffic reports and the subsequent resignation of Officer Michael Fallon have highlighted the need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. The Hartford Police Department’s commitment to identifying and addressing such misconduct is crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring fair and just practices.
