Report by Paula Antolini, February 21, 2022, 8:20AM EDT
Bridgeport Acting Fire Department Chief Lance Edwards, Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia and Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim provided a joint statement regarding an active investigation of sexual assault by a high ranking fire department member, whose identity was not revealed at this time.
On February 17, 2022, Bridgeport Fire Department Acting Chief Edwards stated, “Today the Bridgeport Fire Department was notified of an alleged sexual assault that had taken place at one of the homes of a senior ranking officer here in the Bridgeport Fire Department. As soon as the fire department was notified, we contacted the police department. The department takes matters such as this very serious. The officer has been put on administrative leave at this time. I am truly saddened by this news. I tried to contact the high ranking officer and it’s been unsuccessful at this point.”
Bridgeport Police were notified about the incident at 8:00am, said Acting Bridgeport Police Chief Rebeca Garcia. Garcia continued, “Police officers responded to the location. They have actively incorporated the Detective Bureau into this matter and our Detective Bureau is currently working on this incident. Please be advised that the Bridgeport Police Department takes these matters very seriously. We will conduct a very thorough investigation and we will, at the end of conclusion, bring justice to the victim.”
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim stated, “First of all, if you don’t mind me adding, to chief, both chiefs, I have full confidence, one, Chief Edwards, in what you’ve done in leadership, immediately taking action in the department to separate this individual, and let the investigation be done. But as you said, and as Chief Garcia said, and I want to reiterate as mayor, and from all of us in the city, these matters involving any victim, but especially in this case and other cases, where you have a woman, or a woman of color, who’s been victimized, or allegedly victimized. Yes we stand with you, we stand behind you, to protect you as we should, as a police department, as a fire department, as a city administration. In addition to that, I want you to know as these facts unraveled this morning collectively, I have full confidence in both of these chiefs, in this matter and in all matters, to make sure that that is carried out.”
Ganim said, “We care, we want to reach out in every way to victims and victims’ families, and this matter, as Chief Garcia has said, will be investigated, the chips will fall where they may. Chief Edwards has said the same thing. People will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as the facts unravel.”
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Photo, left to right: Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim, Bridgeport Acting Fire Department Chief Lance Edwards, and Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia, give statements about ‘high ranking’ Bridgeport Fire Department officer put on administrative leave for alleged sexual assault.