[CT] Ex-girlfriend feels safer if Officer Almeida keeps his job

...He was charged with first-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree threatening... [M.S.] has relocated to Florida. She told court officials she feels safer if Almeida continues working...

BROOKFIELD POLICE OFFICER TOLD TO LEAVE GUN AT WORK
Torrington Register Citizen, CT
By Tracy Kennedy courts@registercitizen.com
09/30/2008
[Excerpts] A Bantam Superior Court judge ordered a Brookfield police officer to keep his service revolver at work Monday. Michael T. Almeida, 33, New Milford, was arraigned in court on domestic violence charges. Almeida is charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree threatening. He was arrested by New Milford police Friday morning at his home following an alleged dispute with a 27-year-old woman. The woman no longer lives in the area and moved to Florida.... There has been no action by the Brookfield Police Department against Almeida, who has been with the department for nine years... Judge Cara Eschuk said. He can use his police-issue firearm at work and on duty only and must turn over any other firearms... Almeida was approved for the court's Family Services program. If Almeida follows all of the program conditions, the case may be dismissed. Almeida was ordered to return to court Oct. 30 [Full article here]

JUDGE ORDERS OFFICER TO - STAY CLEAR OF GIRLFRIEND
Republican-American (Waterbury, CT)
BY BRIGITTE RUTHMAN
September 30, 2008
[Excerpts] ...Almeida's girlfriend, [M.S.], called police Sept. 24 and claimed she had been subjected to violence at 53 Glen Ridge Court, police said. New Milford police were summoned, but no arrest was made, New Milford police Lt. James Duda said. Another call Sept. 26 brought police back to the address, and this time it resulted in Almeida 's arrest. He was charged with first-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree threatening. He was released on a promise to appear Monday at Bantam Superior Court and placed on administrative suspension from his job. "It was a four-year relationship that is coming to an end," defense attorney Thomas Waterfall said following the court hearing. After hearing from Waterfall, Judge Cara Eschuk elected not to impose a protective order. Instead, she ordered Almeida to refrain from harming or contacting [M.S.], and ordered him to carry a firearm only during assigned work shifts in Brookfield, where he has been an officer for nine years... [M.S.] has relocated to Florida. She told court officials she feels safer if Almeida continues working...