Volume 22, Number 45
Thursday, January 9, 2020
www.berlincitizen.com
BPD holding cell upgrades completed By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
The Berlin Police Department has upgraded its four holding cells, replacing metal bars with plexiglass.
From left, Berlin Police Officer Cathy Griffin, Detective Ted Fuini and Officer Isabella Delgado clear a hallway in McGee Middle School during the department’s annual active threat training exercises on Dec. 30, 2019. Photos by Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
Police, school security staff conduct active threat training
The cells have been considered a hazard since 2016 when a prisoner attempted to hang himself using the bars. The incident prompted a policy of stationing an officer outside when a cell is occupied. “We want to keep the public safe, but also anyone in our custody,” Deputy Police Chief Christopher Ciuci said.
Since the new plexiglass doors don’t allow airflow, ventilation was installed through the ceiling. Also, contractors replaced the cell beds so that prisoners can not crawl beneath them. Ciuci said the project remained within the original $251,165 budget approved by the Town Council in March 2019. Police Commission Chairperson Paul Eshoo said he’s happy the work is done and he praised the work of Ciuci and Chief John Klett in keeping See BPD, A12
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
“Seconds matter and any de- The value of knowing the lay could result in additional layout could be seen as one fatalities,” he said. group of officers cleared The Berlin Police Departthree adjacent rooms sharKnowing the location of ment and school security ing a short hallway. After common areas like the cafe- coming out of the first room, staff conducted annual active threat training exercises teria, library or gym can save Officer Cathy Griffin led first responders vital time. at McGee Middle School them right into the second over the winter break. door, tucked into a corner, The training, run by the deand back out into the third. Shaving seconds off the time partment’s firearms unit, honed skills in clearing it takes an officer to arrive at “That goes into why it’s so rooms, communicating with vital to do these walka school threat is one of the other officers and determin- throughs,” said Sgt. Ryan most important aspects of the training, said School Re- ing the location of a threat, Gould, who led the training. which can be difficult in source Officer Steve Kostka, who participated in the exer- large buildings like schools. cises. See Training, A9
The holding cells at the Berlin Police Department have been outfitted with ventilation, new beds and plexiglass windows. The work was completed at the end of December. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
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