New London fires police officer who's been arrested four times
New London — The city has fired embattled police officer Julio Gil-Martinez, a move that comes not long after his fourth arrest on domestic violence related charges and the completion of an internal investigation.
Mayor Michael Passero announced the firing on Thursday. Gil-Martinez's April 2 termination letter was sent to Corrigan Correctional Center in Montville where he remains on $350,000 in bonds.
In a statement, Passero said Gil-Martinez's termination was made for just cause," and came after two internal investigations related to the off-duty incidents were completed. He said the probes revealed "egregious violations of the New London Police Department's General Duty Manual."
Gil-Martinez, 29, who was hired by the city in 2023, was first arrested Nov. 16, 2024, for the alleged assault of his 20-year-old girlfriend. He has been arrested three more times since that first arrest on charges that include multiple violations of a protective order that bars him from contact the woman. The initial arrest came after Gil-Martinez allegedly cut himself and tried to convince his girlfriend to tell police she had stabbed him.
At his last court appearance, Gil-Martinez applied for acceptance into the Supervised Diversionary Program. The program allows defendants to undergo mental health treatment and could lead to his charges being dismissed.
Records show that following the completion of an internal investigation, Chief Brian Wright and Captain Todd Bergeson held a disciplinary hearing with Gil-Martinez on March 31 at Corrigan.
Passero said the the internal investigation determined that Gil-Martinez had violated numerous department rules such as "Commission of criminal offenses, interfering with the course of justice, untruthfulness during an internal investigation — demonstrating a blatant disregard for truth and ethical standards expected of law enforcement personnel, providing false information on official records (and) conduct unbecoming of an officer."
"Your actions demonstrated an apparent disregard for your oath of office and the standards of conduct expected of police professionals," Passero wrote in Gil-Martinez's termination letter. It was your conduct that compromised the integrity of the police department and fostered alarm, distrust, and misgivings within the community, thereby undermining the authority of the hard-working men and women of the New London Police Department.
Attorney Erica Rodriguez, who represents Gil-Martinez, could not be reached to comment. Gil-Martinez is due back in Superior Court in Norwich on June 4.
Prior to his hiring in New London, Gil-Martinez worked short stints at both the East Haven and West Haven police departments.
g.smith@theday.com
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