EAST HARTFORD, Conn — Police body camera video shows questionable behavior in 2022 by an East Hartford Police lieutenant, the same man who was arrested over the Sunday for allegedly driving drunk.
East Hartford Police Lieutenant Joe Ficacelli was among several officers arrested for DUI over the weekend.
Ficacelli was arrested by state police Sunday in Somers for allegedly driving drunk. According to state police, Ficacelli and retired officer Robert Pronovost were apparently driving in the same car, and at some point, the two switched seats, before both were arrested. Incident reports say Ficacelli “complained of being in pain” and was brought to the hospital where he, “refused the standardized field sobriety test.”
The new video shows a separate encounter in Rocky Hill where Ficacelli was pulled over in his personal vehicle for speeding.
Rocky Hill Police initiated the traffic stop in September, 2022. In the video, a Rocky Hill officer approaches Ficaselli, who was off duty, who flashes his badge and questions the Rocky Hill officer on if he could tell he was speeding from where he was parked. When the Rocky Hill officer responds that he could, Ficacelli responds in a questionable tone, “Really? Oh, okay. Am I good to go?” The Rocky Hill officer let Ficacelli go without a warning or citation.
A statement from Rocky Hill Police Sgt. Steve Morgan read in part, “Upon reviewing the available body worn camera footage, the on-duty shift supervisor notified the Rocky Hill Police Department Patrol Commander who reviewed the footage, taking note of the treatment our officer received during the stop. It was concluded that Lt. Ficacelli’s actions warranted notification to the East Hartford Police Department Command Staff which was made without undue delay.”
No one from the East Hartford Police Department made themselves available for an interview.
In response to a freedom of information request for Ficacelli’s disciplinary record, Lt. Craig Browning of the Office of Professional Standards that Ficacelli "has no disciplinary record."
East Hartford Police officer Marc Caruso said in a statement, “Because many off duty officers are armed, it is not unusual for off-duty officers to identify themselves with their badge and police I.D. as a safety precaution.”
East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin’s head of communications said the mayor wasn’t available, but provided a statement that read, ”We are aware of the bodycam footage, though I have not seen it personally. At this point in time, the investigation regarding the concerning events of this past weekend is still in progress…We will take any appropriate action necessary…”
Ficacelli has been with East Hartford PD for 20 years. Caruso went on to say Ficacelli, “Remains on paid administrative duty…which restricts his contact with the public.”
Ficacelli was also placed on administrative duty in 2018 when he was part of an officer involved shooting incident that led to the death of Juan McCray. On February 4, 2018, McCray broke into his sister’s apartment and stole his grandmothers car. He then got into a pursuit and multiple physical struggles with the East Hartford police officers. Eventually the officers shot McCray, he died 11 days later.. Ultimately, the State’s Attorney found the officers' deadly use of force to be justified.
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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