The suit claims the laws mandates for the release of public records runs counter to the most recent state police collective bargaining agreement, which allows troopers to prevent their personnel records from being released to the public. Be Nice. The next thing I knew, there was a loud crash, David A. Jordan, a minivan passenger from East Aurora, told investigators after the wreck on July 15, 2019. CT trooper barred from public interaction after profanity-filled traffic stop, Hamden school board member Walter L. 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He was acting like a loose cannon, Jette said. reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq, (FCRA). Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. End censorship. This high quality pin is metal with hard enamel and is not made with painted enamel. This byline is mine, but I want my name removed. So how will the state police department handle the Spina case? Nonetheless, we must not allow any entity to censor us, as artists, or prevent us from voicing our expressions and sharing them far and wide. Shamar Walters is a reporter for NBC News' Social Newsgathering team based in New York City. Five people were seriously injured, including two who were partially paralyzed, when New York State Trooper Stephen C. Barker rear-ended this minivan at 73 mph near the Dunkirk exit of the State Thruway on July 15, 2019. compliance. $15.99. You have permission to edit this article. 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. These remarks invite a review of his payroll records at state Comptroller Kevin Lembo's wonderful OpenCT internet site. No wonder state Trooper Matthew Spina hates his job, just as he told the motorist he abused with five minutes of crazed rage during a traffic stop in New Haven two weeks ago, a tirade famously captured on cellphone video, posted on the internet, and viewed internationally. Error! No wonder state Trooper Matthew Spina hates his job, just as he told the motorist he abused with five minutes of crazed rage during a traffic stop in New Haven two weeks ago, a tirade famously. As the nation reeled from the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minn., The News continued to highlight the often . It shall cease and desist only when: 1) our elected officials have the courage to change current statutory language on our retirement system, 2) we elect a governor with the political will to change the culture of bureaucracy, and 3) the public is educated on how our unions have hijacked the state Capitol. Key Data Matthew Spina Employment History 2018 Job Title: St Polce Trpr Frst Class Department: Dept of Emrg Svc & Public Prot Bargaining Group: State Police (NP-1) Employment Type: Full-time Total Pay: $184,881 A Connecticut state trooper has been put on leave after he was captured on camera profanely berating a motorist during a traffic stop. 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. The sum will compensate a passenger left paralyzed from the waist down when Trooper Stephen C. Barkers police vehicle slammed into the rear o, Records show that though Trooper Stephen C. Barkers supervisors were immediately suspicious of his story after the first crash, in November 2. guarantee that information on this website 100% accurate or complete. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? His agency had warned against it many times. had annual salary of $95,162. Gregorek had just bought a video game and was filling out a customer satisfaction survey on his cellphone at the moment of impact, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said. Matthew Spina started working at Dept of Emrg Svc & Public Prot on 29th June 2001. Our products are works of art and our creations are not approved, endorsed, sponsored, nor authorized by, or associated with any agency, department of government entity. @UncleLouie ARTISTIC ACTIVISM: As a Veteran First Responder, I create products that are works of art. Sale, Click here to see our entire catalogue now. This is even better than it looks. If you want something and don't see it, please ask. CT trooper barred from public interaction after profanity-filled I am willing to bet Mr. Powell wouldnt be able to cut it. Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide. The man allegedly showed. We strictly Why might Spina drive himself crazy with overwork? Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl. Schmidt said dispositions can take into account a defendant's criminal history, and in this case Barker had no criminal past and was contributing to society as a trooper, he said. Choose wisely! We have served. But a sentence also should reflect a defendant's conduct and the impact on the victims, Schmidt said, adding that he saw no sign Barker's victims were consulted about the sentence. We are a privately owned enterprise who engages in creating works of art in the form of Law Enforcement and Military Collectibles. The fear of art ends now. He spends far too much time thinking about the Boston Celtics. Mind your own business and be on your way. In this Aug. 7, 2020, file photo, Connecticut Gov. Also you want the pension apply, do the time and you will get it. Those elements represent just a small peripheral portion of the coins we design. The driver was pulled over for speeding and briefly placed in handcuff but was not issued any citations. When arraigned less than a month later, on Jan. 16, 2020, a deal had already been worked out. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Create a password that only you will remember. CLICK HEREThankful to have laws that protect artistsOur products all start with an idea which becomes a sketch. It would have been legally significant if Barker had been hurrying to a call. 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? 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Pension racket may explain state trooper's crazed rage Be Truthful. Connecticut trooper on leave after rant caught on camera during traffic The trooper hit the brakes at 81 mph, but it was too late. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Was Trooper Spina a bit over the top? The trooper becomes irate after Jette questions him about the stop. The coin does not represent the values and philosophies of Commissioner Rovella and Colonel Mellekas, Foley said. Consequently, it would have been difficult to convict Barker of any criminal charge related to the accident, and it would have been more difficult for lawyers pressing a civil claim against the State Police to go forward. It appears that being a state government employee is a great gig. It's a long term and openly-known scam, and hurtful to all ordinary citizens who have to pay for this corrupt bargain. 30% off when you spend $150. It appears Spina is ready to return to his police vehicle when he asks the driver for his marijuana. Hundreds of Connecticut state troopers voted that they have no confidence in the leadership of Gov. We stand against Racism.CHALLENGE COINSWe specialize in custom challenge coins and also offer retail sales with no minimum. There are lots of excuses. Sponsored Sponsored Sponsored. Did you know that our art is protected by law? Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven in May. Retired reporter. Matthew Spina: Five stories that touched a nerve in 2020 - Buffalo News Blame the labor negotiators who have enabled this, but the ones who can fix it are the supervisors who are now corruptly approving the overtime (expecting it themselves when they retire), and blame the top managers in the public service agencies, the comptroller, and the fovernor who do not stop it administratively and thereby are complicit in the loss of faith in government. Every Sunday, receive the most in-depth, interesting, and important stories of the week, picked by editors and readers. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, New York State Trooper Stephen C. Barkeropened a Facebook page on his cellphone just 52 seconds before his, City mourns Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno as investigation into fatal fire launches, Buffalo firefighter makes 'ultimate sacrifice' in blaze that may have sparked backdraft, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Vandal damages 'brokenhearted' Russell Salvatore's tribute park in Lancaster, Chad Hall's departure from Buffalo Bills to Jaguars remains a bit of a mystery. Fundraiser for Matthew Spina by Walt Snyder - GoFundMe Some poke fun, some express frustration; but like all art, the interpretation, feelings, or emotions evoked by the medium are all in the eye of the beholder.We are not affiliated with any Government Agency. You couldnt leave it alone, could you? Barkers failure to observe the slowing traffic ahead caused the crash, the lead State Police investigator said in a memorandum signed three months later, in October 2019. Guy who cuts his own hair. Dont you ever f--- with me again, Spina can be heard saying as he leaves. Jette said that Spina had no grounds to pull him over and wants to make sure the officer is held accountable. WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT MORE PRODUCTS? Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Share with Us. Own your actions and stop complaining. 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. 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. While slowed by the impact, Barkers Charger continued for another 76 feet. These distractions are what caused Mr. Barker to fail to observe the slowing traffic ahead, McCusker wrote in documents accusing Barker of reckless driving and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. New York State Trooper Stephen C. Barkeropened a Facebook page on his cellphone just 52 seconds before hispatrol car hit the rear of a minivan near the Dunkirk exit of the New York State Thruway on July 15, 2019, according to a State Police investigative report. Rovella received 681 votes of no confidence from troopers, Eckersley received 682. $29.99 previous price $29.99 previous price $29.99. How the [expletive] am I gonna catch a speeder if Im not speeding? Spina yells to the driver. This is a carousel. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. 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. As the driver attempts to say that he has a prescription, Spina orders him out of the vehicle. Stephen C. Barker, a 33-year-old state police officer fromKenmore, who had been a trooper for five years, suffered a head injury when the police cruiser plowed into the minivan. Imagine over a thousand retirees getting over $100,000 plus benefits for retiring. $18.99 Sold out. God Bless America!!! In a release, Col. Stavros Mellekas described Spinas behavior as disturbing and not indicative of the great work of the women and men of the Connecticut State Police and their dedication to protecting and serving during this pandemic.. I will sentence you to a conditional discharge. Flag Commendation Bar uniform Pin Police Breast Cancer, EL13-016 Full size UAS FAA Commercial Drone Pilot Wings pin, CL6-08 Thin Gray Line U.S. This byline is for a different person with the same name. Veteran First Responder Owned Florida Company. and 10 This is why the media and often times, the government focuses on our art. Retracing the path of controversial Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe includes many stops in Connecticut. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. This salary He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. We urge all motorists to put down their smartphones and do their part to keep our highways safe.. He suffered chest and shoulder injuries yet, by comparison, was lucky. We are creating these small pieces of artwork in a transformative way. The following list is based on analytics calculated for JournalInquirer.com, specifically the number of times each story was viewed. By Matthew Spina | Buffalo News A medical examiner partly faults medical personnel at the Erie County Holding Center for the death of an inmate, saying they did not properly respond to his withdrawal from addictive drugs, primarily alcohol. 0. The topic of distracted driving was never mentioned, nor were the injured parties or the collision. In the years before the crash and since, the state police and traffic safety experts have urged people to concentrate on the road, not on their phones. Connecticut State Police Union letter by Peter Yankowski on Scribd. We won't share it with anyone else. Correctional Officers are represented by the Thin Gray Line. A seasoned Connecticut Trooper, Matthew Spina, 19 years of service, deals with a driver with 7 prior arrests, some felonies, including violence and harassment. Matthew Spina in year 2018 was employed in Dept of Emrg Svc & Public Prot and 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. Keep it Clean. In a statement, Col. Stavros Mellekas, the deputy commissioner of the state police, called Spinas behavior disturbing and said an internal affairs investigation had begun. Ive got 14 months I cant (expletive) wait to be done, Spina said. The trooper has been transferred to desk duty while his misconduct is under investigation. Time for employee-employer contributions as in 401Ks. Be Proactive. Mellekas said that the department does recognize that all of us everywhere are under extreme stress during this pandemic.. His views are not necessarily the newspaper's. That's the beauty of art and it's up to you to decide what they are! The Yankee Institute for Public Policy says more than 1,600 retired state employees already enjoy pensions that large. The parties had already agreed to a conditional discharge, meaning punishment would be withheld if Barker stayed out of trouble for a year. Matthew Spina. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. While doing this, we sometimes use things happening in the world within our artwork. The most important daily headlines from News, Sports, Business, Living, and Opinion. Last year Spina made $99,000 in regular pay, $97,000 in overtime, and another $7,000 in miscellaneous pay, presumably private-duty pay, another sort of overtime, for a total of $203,000. In the 2019 crash near the Thruway's Dunkirk exit, Trooper Barker had been texting throughout his shift, State Police Investigator John J. McCusker wrote in a court document. States have to go bankrupt in order to legally get rid of the Golden Pension Club. I will accept your plea, Sheridan Town Justice Lydia Romer told the trooper, according to a transcript. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. He called the circumstances that led to the crash pretty bad and said Erie County prosecutors would have done more to keep the reckless endangerment charge in play. God Bless America!!! Don't knowingly lie about anyone In July, the Hartford Courant reported the unions plan to hold a vote of no confidence. The driver who ran into Trooper Gallagher, Jesse Cohen, closed out his case in Suffolk County the year before Gallagher died and was not charged with causing the death. ULMG-553. The Thin Gold Line represents 911 Dispatchers and we have the largest collection of Dispatcher Collectibles available. Forty percent of Spina's earnings of $76,744 so far this year has been overtime, so he is on track for another $200,000 year -- if he can maintain some semblance of sanity, if his supervisors don't see that overwork may be impairing his fitness, and if he is not suspended or dismissed for his misconduct, which has spectacularly besmirched the state police. We often use pop culture elements to create a parody or a satire by putting those elements into a different perspective. $9.99 Coastie's are America's life line at Sea. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Success! There was a problem saving your notification. The video starts with the driver asking Spina why he was speeding and riding close to another vehicle. You had to be an (epithet) American, said Spina. Jette can be heard telling the trooper that he has a license for medicinal marijuana. Barker was terminated in. Come on, people. Spina tells the motorist that police officers are permitted by law to disregard traffic laws during the performance of their duties. Remaining cloudy in the afternoon. The District Attorney's Office should have let the judge decide the sentence and not agreed to a conditional discharge before the plea, he said. Behind Nika Mhl's surprise call from UConn great Sue Bird, Cannabis advocates protest CT's recreational-use rollout, CT SPCA volunteers 'humbled' as hundreds file to adopt pets, Warrant: Ex-CT 'lunch lady' sent nude pics to student for months. 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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. This article is absolutely an opinion piece and should be taken as such. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Many ancient pipes in CT aren't up to the task of draining storm water, yet officials just seem to shrug. Two critical components to what LEO Challenge Coins represents. 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. By submitting your design, you warrant that you have the legal right to reproduce (or have reproduced) any logos or images associated with your order. Seconds later, Spina yells: Mind your own god damn business. In the description of the video on YouTube, the man alleges that Spina threatened to throw him off the bridge if he were to come across him again. For Spina seems to be only middle-aged, and achieving pension entitlement by middle age through government employment and not retiring but instead taking other employment for 15 years or so has become a hallowed and lucrative tradition in Connecticut.