UPDATED: East Lyme looks to restore confidence in police department after officers disciplined in Finkelstein case

East Lyme — One day after the Board of Police Commissioners disciplined three officers involved in the scandal that led to the retirement of former chief Michael Finkelstein, Interim Police Chief Michael Macek said officials here want to restore the public's trust in the department. "I believe with the conclusion of (the Finkelstein case), we as a town and department have learned lessons throughout the process," Macek said Wednesday. "Having an outside agency assist us (in the investigation) gave us and the community a high level of transparency. This was a good step to transparency and accountability." Macek said the department now needs to standardize best practices regarding policies, and to provide training beyond what is required. He added that while he feels the department strongly engages with the community, it could do more. After a two-hour, closed-door meeting Tuesday, the commission announced that Lt. Dana Jezierski, who had sex with Finkelstein and destroyed evidence from her department-issued cell phone, according to an investigation report by the Daigle Law Group, will undergo retraining. Officer Larry Watson will be suspended for five days without pay while Sgt. Eric Holt will be suspended without pay for 10 days. The report concluded the two officers violated department policies in their handling of a domestic violence call at Finkelstein's home in 2023. The Finkelstein investigation began after town police responded to a 2024 call from the former chief's wife saying he had punched her. It was the second time police responded to a domestic violence call at Finkelstein's home. The first was in June 2023. State police later arrested Finkelstein in connection with both incidents. "This is us moving forward," Police Commission Chairman Dan Price told reporters after the commission voted to discipline the three officers. 'We're going to heal the department and move on." A statement from the commission said the decision brings the Finkelstein investigation to a close. Price said his commission will rebuild the department's training programs, especially those involving domestic violence response training as part of regaining the public's trust and confidence. "There's a lot of holes in that," he said of the current training. "That's going to be a big focus of the commission." What the discipline means Jezierski on Wednesday said she did not know what her retraining will entail and said she would not comment further without consulting with Macek. Finkelstein and his lieutenant engaged in a sexual relationship for four months beginning in June 2023, Jezierski told investigators after initially denying the relationship. She admitted to deleting sexually explicit conversations and photos between herself and Finkelstein from her department-issued phone before her device was seized by investigators. Jezierski told investigators she felt Finkelstein took advantage of her, enticing her with compliments and a possible promotion. Investigators found Jezierski destroyed internal-affair evidence by manipulating her work phone. Holt and Watson could not be reached to comment Wednesday. According to Town Finance Director Kevin Gervais, Watson makes $41.54 per hour, and Holt earns $44.49. Estimating based on these figures, Watson could lose between $1,650 and $1,700, and Holt could lose at least $3,560. Macek said Wednesday he had not yet received the disciplinary letters for the three officers from the police commission and town attorney. Police union President Justin Hanna, in a statement he handed to reporters at Tuesday night's meeting, said the union accepts the commission's decision. Hanna was one of the officers who responded to last year's call and spoke to Finkelstein's wife, who said Finkelstein threw a cellphone at her so hard she thought it broke a bone. Hanna said Finkelstein said his wife has a "bleeding disorder" and "gets bloody noses constantly." Finkelstein also said his wife has mental illness, Hanna told investigators. Hanna said he found it odd Finkelstein was divulging this information unprompted. Sgt. Jared Priest was another officer who responded to the 2024 call. He told investigators based on Finkelstein's wife's injuries and a small cut on his then-boss's hands were probable cause to arrest Finkelstein on the spot — if he weren't who he was. Finkelstein will "probably" lose his certification from the Police Officer Standard and Training Council, or POST, Price said. That means the former chief loses his ability to work as a police officer. But to strip an officer of certification, the town has to officially make a request to POST, Rick Green, director of communications for the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said Wednesday. No such request to decertify Finkelstein has been made, Green said. Municipalities are required to notify POST when an officer resigns during an investigation — that notice hasn't been sent either, Green said. Rebuild, retrain, restore Price said Jezierski would go through senior leadership courses, though Macek would determine the exact details. The commission based each discipline case on the Daigle report and what's actually within the board's power to impose. Macek said Jezierski will train during her regular shift. The town will work with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association as it finds the department's next leader, Price said. "We want to get the structure we need in the department so we can just move forward," Price said. "(The) union is committed to rebuilding a positive relationship and partnership with the Town of East Lyme and (the police commission) to begin the process of healing this police department and restoring the community's faith in us," Hanna's statement reads. While he hopes Macek applies for the permanent job, Price said, the search for a new chief begins next week. Both Price and Hanna complimented the department's performance during the ordeal. "They've done an amazing job," Price said. Macek said Wednesday he's considering going for the top job. "I know the department, as I've spent almost half my life working here," he said. "With that being said, I'm also close to retirement, so this would have to be a larger conversation with my wife." Several scandals The discipline of the three officers comes as misconduct scandals continue to rock the town's emergency services. Speaking after the release of the Daigle report, Macek said police morale is low. Detective Mark Comeau retired April 30 as he was being investigated for mishandling an alleged kidnapping and assault case, the victim a teenager Comeau knew personally. Comeau was the lead investigator in a 2024 case involving a 35-year-old man, Stephen Nicholson, who was accused of kidnapping, assaulting and stalking teenager Claire Killin, spending seven weeks in jail. In November, a judge dismissed the charges against Nicholson after his lawyers said Comeau was neighbors with Killin, and had a personal relationship with her. Nicholson's attorney charged that Comeau was infatuated with Killin and that he manufactured evidence. Killin has denied having a personal relationship with the detective. Earlier this month, Deputy Fire Chief Erik Quinn was placed on leave amid a state police investigation into a series of fires in town dating back to 2024. j.lakowsky@theday.com