HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford community members and activists came together on Sunday to speak up for a fired lieutenant from the city's police department.
Paul West was fired from the Hartford Police Department earlier this month.
Activists said they aren’t happy about the decision to fire West. They want him reinstated and they believe he should be the next chief of police.
“I think it’s what Hartford needs, it’s what Hartford deserves,” Shonta Broda, of Hartford, said. “We would be blessed to have a police chief that understands our youth, that would have a plan that would encompass the youth and their development and know where they come from."
Those that came to speak on West’s behalf said he was targeted after he reported a sexual harassment complaint on behalf of a Latina officer in 2018 and because he was going to apply for the chief position.
“You don‘t fire someone from a job so you can end your competition, if that was the case there would be nobody working,” said Cynthia Jennings, a Greater Hartford African-American Alliance Member.
Jennings said, “Paul West is one of the best and most effective officers in the city of Hartford.”
A spokesperson for Interim Police Chief Kenny Howell said he has no comment.
The mayor of Hartford said he doesn’t comment on internal investigations pertaining to police personnel.
West said he was fired after he returned from being on workers’ compensation for the last four years. He has since filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming discrimination.
“I was not surprised, I just accepted it,” West said. “It’s almost like when you're involved in a long battle or fight and they throw their haymaker and you're prepared to accept it or you’re not.”
West said he witnessed a toxic environment in his 23 years at the Hartford Police Department.
“There is a strong bond to keep things the way they are,” West said. “The culture exists in a manner where you’re either a part of the clique or not.”
Kaye Paddyfote is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kpaddyfote@fox61.com. Follow her on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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