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East Hartford lieutenant charged with DUI slapped with suspension and duty reassignment

In January, state police charged Ficacelli with DUI. He was accused of being intoxicated while driving on a rural road in Somers.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The East Hartford police lieutenant charged on suspicion of DUI was just disciplined as the result of an internal affairs investigation. 

Lt. Joseph Ficacelli has been suspended without pay for 30 days.

In January, state police charged Ficacelli with DUI. He was accused of being intoxicated while driving on a rural road in Somers. 

A paramedic who saw his car driving erratically called in the incident. They told police that Ficacelli, who was in the car with his friend, retired East Hartford Police Sgt. Robert Pronovost, switched seats.

State police body camera video shows Ficacelli allegedly lying to state police about not being the driver. Ficacelli can be heard on the video getting into a verbal back and forth with state police telling them, “We’re gonna have a big problem dude.”

RELATED: New video and documents reveal East Hartford police lieutenant lied to state troopers during his DUI arrest

Ficacelli also claimed to state police that he was having a heart attack. 

“Can you call me an ambulance? I feel like I’m having a heart attack,” Ficacelli said in the video.

While Ficacelli was pumping gas in May, FOX61 questioned him about the incident but he said wasn’t feeling well. 

“I just had surgery, sir. I just had surgery. I’m not feeling well. My mouth,” responded Ficacelli as he got in his vehicle, rolled down his window and drove away. 

Ficacelli’s DUI arrest resulted in both a criminal charge and an internal affairs investigation. Chief Mack Hawkins, who initially refused to comment in detail on the incident, said he would answer questions once the internal affairs investigation was complete. 

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On Tuesday at the East Hartford Public Safety Complex, Hawkins' assistant said he was not available for comment.

A Freedom of Information request was submitted to obtain a copy of the full internal affairs investigation. No update on the status of that request was made available Tuesday.

In response to a request for comment from East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, his chief of staff said, “It is a police matter so the police department PIO handles all the communication.”

The mayor’s office did send a statement saying, “Town of East Hartford employees are expected to hold themselves to a high standard of conduct. Regardless of the department or position…” 

Ficacelli was the second highest paid city employee in 2023, making more than $187,000.  

When state police went to speak with him in the hospital following his arrest for DUI, he told them, “I am going to embarrass the two of you in court. I hate to tell you but I’m gonna.”

RELATED: East Hartford Police Lieutenant arrested for DUI also demonstrated questionable behavior during previous traffic stop: Exclusive

But it was Ficacelli who may have felt embarrassed in court as Judge Kathleen McNamara told him, “you should be ashamed of yourself…” 

Ficacelli was suspended without pay for 30 days, transferred out of the criminal investigations bureau and is no longer the officer in charge of the traffic unit. He was also removed from the department’s Honor Guard. 

He will be back in court on June 6th in Rockville when the judge is expected to decide whether to grant his application for accelerated rehabilitation. 

Ficacelli’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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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