[CT] Hartford Police suspend Major Crimes Detective Sullivan for domestic violence charges

HARTFORD POLICE MAJOR CRIMES DETECTIVE CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN IS CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY, THIRD-DEGREE ASSAULT, SECOND-DEGREE THREATENING, BREACH OF PEACE AND UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT

HARTFORD POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Hartford Courant
By DAVID OWENS
July 17, 2009
[Excerpts] An off-duty Hartford police officer was arrested early Friday by Vernon police on domestic violence charges. Christopher Sullivan, 34, of Old Town Road, was arraigned Friday in Superior Court in Rockville on charges of first-degree burglary, third-degree assault, second-degree threatening, breach of peace and unlawful restraint. Vernon police said they were called at 2:33 a.m. to an apartment on South Street on a report of a domestic violence assault. The woman they met told them that she and Sullivan had had an argument that escalated into an assault. She told officers that Sullivan held her down and threatened her. The woman told police that she asked Sullivan to leave several times. He finally did, and she locked the door behind him, she told police. Sullivan then broke the door open and assaulted her again, police said. Police found Sullivan at his apartment and took him into custody. He was held on $250,000 bail. Hartford Assistant Police Chief Neil Dryfe said Friday afternoon that Sullivan, according to department policy, has been suspended from his duties without pay. Sullivan has been a Hartford police officer seven years. [LINK]

Vernon Police did their job by arresting Sullivan. Hartford Police are following policy by suspending him, and enough of the crime was evident that his suspension is without pay. I can only pray that there are safety measures in place for the victim as well. I highly doubt that Sullivan's (alleged) multi-phased attack suddenly manifested out of a self-disciplined personality. The victim will need more than a piece of paper to protect her from possible further attacks from this professionally trained tactical aggressor. I am hoping that those that trained him will stand by her, protect her, and if she is willing - lift her out of harm's way.
I am curious whether the department was aware of any prior acts.
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement connecticut]