Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Walt Snyder is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Matthew Spina. We will release more information as it Threats of harming another No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism There was an error processing your request. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina is seen cursing at a man who allegedly was speeding on the span also known as the Q bridge in New Haven. IE 11 is not supported. Sen. Mitch McConnell got it right. I got pulled over for speeding when I was 21 home on leave from Iraq in 2003. Be Nice. The real question is: How much longer can this corrupt benefit program continue and drive Connecticut to the bottom of states in economic growth before it ends? Thus Spina seems close to qualifying for an annual pension of about $100,000. Spina says he was running the license plate and asks the driver why he was speeding. He then goes to the front of the car where the driver is handcuffed. Ned Lamont, according to a letter from the state police unions leadership. By Matthew Spina , Charlie Specht. The driver was pulled over for speeding and briefly placed in handcuff but was not issued any citations. But some Connecticut residents have defended the trooper, arguing that Spinas lengthy career in law enforcement should not be judged based on a six-minute-long video. We have no indication Trooper Spina created the coin.. No more golden pensions. Like it or not, Mitch called this one right. I love how EVERY comment is edited by staff. The driver interfered with the Troopers pursuit of a motor vehicle and unknown to Trooper Spina, apparently baited him and subsequently filmed the contact. This is a carousel. No wonder state Trooper Matthew Spina hates his job, just as he told the motorist he abused with five minutes of crazed rage during a traffic stop in New Haven two weeks ago, a tirade famously. Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide. During a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in New Haven on Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina went on a foul-mouthed tirade, which was captured on cellphone video, during which the driver claims the cop. CT Gov. There was an error processing your request. We noticed you have an ad blocker on. He didn't ticket me because he had no reason to ticket me.. Nicholas Rondinone can be reached at nrondinone@courant.com. All sports, all the time, plus unique coverage of UConn athletics, local high school sports, and Connecticut's pro teams, the Sun and Hartford Athletic. 2020 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.), Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. A seasoned Connecticut Trooper, Matthew Spina, 19 years of service, deals with a driver wi Walt Snyder needs your support for Support Trooper Matthew Spina An email seeking comment was sent to Spina on Tuesday. Two months after a state trooper was captured on camera in a profanity-laced tirade during a traffic stop, a commemorative coin that honors him is circulating among his fellow troopers. Ben Lambert was formerly a reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group, covering police and public safety in the New Haven area. Once I realized it was a police officer, I pulled my hand back in. As the incident continues to unfold, Spina yells that it just never ends in this job., Apparently nearing retirement, Spina yells: I got 14 months. But unofficial coins often celebrate cops behaving badly. During a traffic stop in May 2020, Connecticut State Trooper Matthew Spina screamed obscenities and placed his hand on his gun while ordering a motorist to get out of the car. The video, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times, shows the tense exchange that ensued. It's probably so he can participate in the part of state government's pension system that has become a racket. His first role was as a combat engineer and later as Special Forces Engineer Sergeant. That part was inaudible. The vote produced similar results of no confidence in Commissioner James C. Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services, the state agency that oversees the force, and Lt. Col. John Eckersley. All rights reserved, Southington Drive-In Announces Summer Movie Schedule, Police Identify Man Found Dead on Side of the Road in Watertown, 7 Bodies Found During Search for Missing Oklahoma Teens, Here's Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Kentucky Derby, NBC & Telemundo Connecticut Job Opportunities. in at least the last five years Spina has been working so much that his overtime earnings have nearly equaled or exceeded his base annual salary of almost $100,000. It appears that being a state government employee is a great gig. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Family desperate but holding out hope for Storrs woman missing in Japan, South Windsor PZC continues to mull warehouse zone changes, Tolland mother, daughter continue fight to end epilepsy, Feds: Hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, East Windsor hearing set on grant program money, Trump rape accuser: 'Not surprising' I didn't call police. It is not clear what role, if any, Eckersley had in disciplining Spina. You have permission to edit this article. racist or sexually-oriented language. God Bless Our Troops At Home And Abroad . Trooper Matthew Spina from Connecticut State Police appears to have a mental breakdown 14 months from retirement. Error! Chance of rain 80%. Civilian on Patrol," the driver was identified by state. In this Aug. 7, 2020, file photo, Connecticut Gov. And as cops began equipping themselves and acting more like soldiers, they started minting their own. At the scene of a domestic squabble, a state trooper wrestled a drunken defendant into his squad car. Shamar Walters is a reporter for NBC News' Social Newsgathering team based in New York City. Use the 'Report' link on Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl . Spina declined to comment Wednesday. Inexpensive, too! As artists, creating collectibles, we leave the judgment to the public but hope our creations will bridge divided, conquer hatred and unite everybody, the company said in a message. No Quarter: With 36,000 cops, New York City is rolling in challenge coins. NEW HAVEN Connecticut State Police are investigating after a trooper was filmed berating a motorist during a profanity-laced traffic stop on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, with the trooper barred from interacting with the public, according to the agency. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Every Sunday, receive the most in-depth, interesting, and important stories of the week, picked by editors and readers. Matthew Spina. We The driver is off-camera for most of the video but can be heard answering Spinas questions and obeying his commands. Last week, the Hartford Courant reported that a challenge coin featuring Spinas likeness and select quotes from the video including Youre (expletive), how does that sound? and Its called shut the (expletive) up, has been circulating among state police personnel. 01-03-2022, 08:35 PM CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE TROOPER LOSES IT! The Connecticut State Police Unions leadership has decided to hold a vote of no confidence against high-ranking members of the state police command staff in response to the disciplining of a trooper caught on camera berating a motorist during a traffic stop. The Woke Police now has their knives out for Matt, the organizer wrote in an appeal for donations. https://www.wfsb.com/news/youtube-record. DL6-08 Heroes of The Highway Version 3 Dispensary Container CSP Challenge Coin Inspired by Connecticut State Police CT Trooper Matthew Spina 23 $24.99 $ 24 . CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE TROOPER LOSES IT! Chance of rain 80%.. "You're fucked,". Colonel Stavros Mellekas said in a statement that Connecticut State Police were made aware of a video posted on social media involving TFC Matthew Spina. I was respectful the entire time and never had hard feelings against the trooper. Middletown, Connecticut - Wednesday, January 29, 2019: James C. Rovella, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the former Hartford Police Chief who now heads the Connecticut State Police. Chance of rain 80%.. Theres no way to take on the legacy of mass incarceration other than to undo it, one step at a time. Spina continues to yell at the driver and then appears to start searching the car, according to the video. Family desperate but holding out hope for Storrs woman missing in Japan, South Windsor PZC continues to mull warehouse zone changes, Tolland mother, daughter continue fight to end epilepsy, Feds: Hospitals that denied emergency abortion broke the law, East Windsor hearing set on grant program money, Trump rape accuser: 'Not surprising' I didn't call police. Blame the labor negotiators who have enabled this, but the ones who can fix it are the supervisors who are now corruptly approving the overtime (expecting it themselves when they retire), and blame the top managers in the public service agencies, the comptroller, and the fovernor who do not stop it administratively and thereby are complicit in the loss of faith in government. pandemic. But if Spina does not complete 20 years of service as he plans to do next year, he will not qualify for a state pension until he turns 65. Share Share on Facebook Tweet Tweet on Twitter Pin it Pin on Pinterest . No wonder state Trooper Matthew Spina hates his job, just as he told the motorist he abused with five minutes of crazed rage during a traffic stop in New Haven two weeks ago, a tirade famously captured on cellphone video, posted on the internet, and viewed internationally. The trooper, Matthew Spina, pulled over the driver, Kevin A. Jette, on Monday after Jette allegedly sped past him on Interstate 95 near New Haven as Spina was pursuing another car for speeding. The only investors who wont let independent, investigative journalism down are the people who actually care about its futureyou. Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation. accounts, the history behind an article. Invalid password or account does not exist. Invalid password or account does not exist. Rovella received 681 votes of no confidence from troopers, Eckersley received 682. For our troopers, they are dealing with the impact on their personal in East Haven, On New Haven's Rosette Street, backyard encampment grows, Police: Branford man arrested in Madison watch store robbery, Reported odor in New Haven home prompts investigation, New Haven celebrates $12M state grant to rebuild Long Wharf Park, On Rosette Street in the Hill, backyard encampment largely coexists with neighbors, Former UConn women's basketball star Lou Lopez Snchal sidelined to start Dallas Wings training camp, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to Connecticut, Our own little slice of Heaven. Shelley's Garden Center closes after 74 years on Main Street, Chick-fil-A in, Trader Joe's & DQ out as Shelton development seeks fresh start, After identifying Jane Doe, East Haven police seek leads in 1975 killing of teen, Joe Ganim and Justin Elicker each face opponents with plenty of experience inside City Hall. Spina notes he was following a truck and looking for violations because the governors office has gotten multiple complaints on traffic stops., It just never (expletive) ends in this (expletive) job. 4. Add to cart Version 2. ULMG-1559. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. 2. The letter singles out Lt. Col. John Eckersley, who heads the state polices office of field operations, accusing him of demeaning his subordinates and failing to publicly defend the rank-and-file troopers he oversees. So how will the state police department handle the Spina case? Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven in May. We have also recently launched a resiliency program to help all our A letter obtained by the newspaper provided Spinas treatment as an example of grievances against the departments current leadership. The media has really gone off the deep end. This is even better than it looks. Be Proactive. Copyright 2023 Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress. The system offers troopers pensions that are payable immediately upon 20 years of service, and it calculates pension payments by taking half the average of the salaries of a trooper's three highest-earning years. For our troopers, they are dealing with the impact on their personal lives along with workplace stressors of being on the frontline, Mellekas said. The motion would, however, signal a worrying rift between the agencys higher-ups and the men and women they lead at a time of increased scrutiny of police in general. Colonel Stavros Mellekas said in a statement that Connecticut State Police were made aware of a video posted on social media involving TFC Matthew Spina. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The video shows Spina was not wearing a mask or gloves amid the coronavirus pandemic. Eckersley oversees the departments field operations. The president is also the subject of many unofficial coins, including one for the NYPD counterterrorism unit that protects Trump Tower. a tirade famously captured on cellphone video. Create a password that only you will remember. The reality, for these next few months and next few years, is that we have to start finding ways to grow our online supporter base in a big wayand we're optimistic we can keep making real headway by being real with you about this. Ned Lamont and president of state's network of community colleges square off in showdown over state funding. We won't share it with anyone else. The video shows State Trooper Matthew Spina handcuff the driver, search his bag and stomp his ashtray on the road outside the car. While not an excuse, we are sensitive to this and also referred the trooper to our employee assistance program.. After berating the driver for questioning his actions before the traffic stop, Spina says, Unbelievable. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Error! nfbrand 324 subscribers Subscribe 3.2K 225K views 2 years ago Trooper 1st class Matthew Spina out of Troop F in Westbrook becomes irate with a. Dont you ever (expletive) with me again. The encounter ends with Spina walking back to his vehicle without citing the driver, and the driver asking him to be safe. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Also you want the pension apply, do the time and you will get it. The suit claims the laws mandates for the release of public records runs counter to the most recent state police collective bargaining agreement, which allows troopers to prevent their personnel records from being released to the public. That phrase could not be confirmed by listening to the video. Trooper Matthew Spina, a 19-year veteran of the state police, was seen in video captured by the driver screaming profanities and commands as he orders the man out of the vehicle on the Pearl. Stew Leonard Sr. remembered at service: 'Most positive energy', Haar: Lamont deflects demands to spend CT surplus on education, Why a New York business wants to move its headquarters to CT, The CT legislature has 500 bills.