NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, March 11, 2004
 

OFFICER UNDER HPD INVESTIGATION RESIGNS.

(Hartford) - An Officer under investigation by the HPD's Internal Affairs Division has resigned from the Hartford Police force.  Santiago Morales, of Waterbury, a probationary employee of the department of less than one year, was under investigation in connection with an incident involving a sixteen (16) year old which occurred on Monday, March 8th, 2004. 

On Monday, March 8, 2004 a uniformed officer in a marked police cruiser approached the sixteen year old, offering to give him a ride to school.  During the ride, the boy reported, the officer engaged him in an inappropriate conversation, some of which were questions of a sexual nature.  Once the boy reached school, he reported the incident to his teacher, who informed his school principal.  The incident was then reported by school officials to the State Department of Children and Families (DCF), who subsequently reported the incident to Hartford Police.  Simultaneously, the complainant and his parents reported the incident in person to Hartford Police which launched an immediate investigation into the allegations of the officer's behavior.

On the morning of  Tuesday, March 9, 2004, IAD Investigators conducted a surveillance of Santiago Morales, including both physical and electronic surveillance.  Morales again offered the same boy a ride to school, and the boy, under close physical and electronic monitoring, accepted the ride.  Shortly thereafter, IAD Investigators stopped the cruiser, removed the complainant, and brought Morales to Hartford Police Headquarters, where the investigation continued.

HPD Internal Affairs Division Investigators have reviewed the case with judicial authorities and it was determined that no crime had been committed.  However, Police Officials construed Morales' actions as inappropriate behavior on the part of a Police Officer. 

On Wednesday evening Morales chose to resign from the Hartford Police Department.  He is no longer a member of the Hartford Police Department.

In commenting on the case, Acting Hartford Police Chief Mark Pawlina stated, "Morales' conduct with respect  to this sixteen year old boy was deplorable, unprofessional, and will not be tolerated in the Hartford Police Department.  Morales was facing possible termination based upon the on-going investigation and he decided to resign. I want to assure all residents and citizens of Hartford that citizen complaints will be treated very seriously by the Hartford Police Department, with swift action taken when an officer's conduct is unacceptable." 

"I personally wish to my appreciation to the sixteen year old boy for his bravery, and his parents for their trust and faith in immediately approaching the Hartford Police Department to report this incident, which enable us to take swift and certain action on this inappropriate conduct.  It is through this kind of faith and trust, in partnership with the Police Department, that will make our streets safer and improve our quality of life," stated Pawlina.

The investigation of Morales and the incident is on-going.  DCF will be notified by HPD of the final results of the investigation.  Hartford Police ask anyone with information of assistance to the investigation to contact the HPD's Internal Affairs Division at (860) 527-6300.  All information will be kept in the strictest of confidence.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Hartford Police News
End.
HPD News Home