VERNON, Conn. — The suspended East Hartford Police lieutenant who was charged with DUI was back in court Thursday to try to convince the judge to keep him out of jail.
Lt. Joe Ficacelli, who’s file has been sealed by the court, appeared in Rockville Superior Court in front of Judge Kathleen McNamara. McNamara herself is a former East Hartford police officer.
The judge didn't pull any punches. She told Ficacelli that if he violated any provisions of his accelerated rehabilitation program that he’d spend the next six months behind bars.
RELATED: East Hartford lieutenant charged with DUI slapped with suspension and duty reassignment
Back in January, East Hartford Police Lt. Joe Ficacelli was seen on state police body camera video threatening state police, faking a heart attack and lying about who was driving the vehicle during a traffic stop on a rural road in Somers.
A Somers paramedic saw Ficacelli’s car driving erratically and reported it to state police. At one point the paramedic tried to engage Ficacelli in conversation but he told him to “F-off.”
Prior to that incident, Ficacelli was caught on Rocky Hill Police body camera using his badge and position of authority to get out of a traffic ticket when he was pulled over for speeding.
“You just kept digging a hole bigger for yourself. Don’t do that again. Be a man and fess up,” remarked Judge McNamara.
Ficacelli did his best to convince Judge Kathleen McNamara to keep him out of jail by taking a humble and apologetic approach in court.
"I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to the court, the state police and the hospital staff for my actions that evening,” said Ficacelli in court.
McNamara was initially not convinced.
“Your credibility is still a little shaky with me because you presented yourself as someone who was above the law and did not have to follow the rules. You obviously had read something on how to get away with driving drunk without getting arrested. I hope if you read a book that you got your money back,” said McNamara.
Ficacelli responded, “If you grant me this program I will follow it through to the ‘T’, I promise and you won’t see me back here.”
The judge then used a raw and recent tragedy to hammer home the seriousness of drunk driving.
“We just buried a Connecticut State Trooper yesterday based on someone who got in their vehicle and had drugs and or alcohol but was completely out of their mind. That person had no business driving a vehicle and killed a trooper and left two little boys fatherless. You are lucky that was not you,” said McNamara.
Ficacelli was ultimately granted accelerated rehabilitation, a prison diversionary program. In addition, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving panel, and visit a hospital emergency room to see first hand the real life trauma that bad decisions create.
“It only takes one second to ruin someone else’s life,” said McNamara.
Outside court, FOX61 asked Ficacelli if he had a message for the East Hartford residents who he is sworn to protect and serve. It was back to no comment. “He has no comment. Am I clear?” said Ficacelli’s Attorney Walter Hussey.
Several weeks ago, East Hartford Police Chief Mack Hawkins told FOX61 that he would be able to answer questions about Ficacelli once the department completed their internal affairs investigation.
That investigation has since been completed but Hawkins has continued to ignore our requests for an interview.
Ficacelli was given a 30-day unpaid suspension as part of his internal affairs discipline. He was also removed from the department’s Honor Guard and transferred out of the investigative division.
RELATED: New video and documents reveal East Hartford police lieutenant lied to state troopers during his DUI arrest
McNamara pointed out that she has seen other officers facing the same situation get fired and be de-certified and remarked that she hoped East Hartford was taking this situation seriously.
Even once he returns to work, Ficacelli will likely have to have an ignition interlock device installed in his police vehicle. He will need that device to operate any vehicle he drives.
Ficacelli was the second highest earning East Hartford public employee in 2023 making more than $187,000.
Weeks ago, FOX61 submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain Ficacelli’s completed internal affairs report. It has still not been fulfilled.
Ficacelli will have to report back to court on June 5, 2025.
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Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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