Police captain accused of using anti-gay slur in front of over 50 fellow officers

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A police captain in Connecticut is accused of using an anti-gay slur earlier this month in front of his colleagues.

Captain Lonnie Blackwell of Bridgeport is accusing fellow Captain Kevin Gilleran of using a curse word and then calling Captain John Cummings an anti-gay slur on July 12, according to emails Blackwell submitted to City Attorney Tyisha Toms, the CT Post reports.

He said that this was part of a “heated” conversation with Assistant Police Chief Frank Capozzi in front of over 50 other officers. During this argument, Cummings made a joke about Gilleran, which made him angry.

City Attorney Toms responded to Blackwell that this is a matter of employee discipline that should be handled by department heads.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim’s chief administrative officer, Thomas Gaudett, who is gay, read Blackwell’s email and said that the city doesn’t condone what Gilleran allegedly said but added, “I know Capt. Gilleran to be a very good man who’s had a great career in the Bridgeport Police Department, and I know he holds no hatred towards people based on their sexual orientation. This should be a learning moment for everyone.”

Police union president Michael Salamme said that there is a “pending investigation” into the matter. Blackwell said that he told Salamme that he’d contact Toms “as a courtesy.”

Police Chief Roderick Porter is not commenting on the matter and hasn’t said if Gilleran has been placed on leave.

Originally Posted Here