Update 12:01 p.m., on Darien Patch:
New Canaan police confirmed Monday that the New Canaan police officer involved in a fight at Tequila Mockingbird on Feb. 23 is Lt. Fred Pickering.
The news was released during a police briefing Monday morning, through a press release.
"It's an Internal Affairs investigation as well as a criminal investigation," Lt. Vince DeMaio said.
Pickering was placed on administrative leave, police have said. He was off-duty at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 23 and was with a group at the Forest Street restaurant in New Canaan when the incident occurred. It was reported 45 minutes later, police have said. One member of the group that included Pickering is accused of using racially offensive language, police have said.
Original article, Friday, March 8 in New Canaan Patch:
A New Canaan police officer has been placed on administrative leave after accusations that the officer got into a fight at Tequila Mockingbird while off-duty, officials say.
According to a press statement issued on behalf of Chief Edward Nadriczny, the officer at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 23 was with a group at the Forest Street restaurant where one member of that group used racially offensive language.
“The New Canaan Police Department has consulted with the Stamford State’s Attorney’s office and a criminal investigation was initiated,” the press statement said.
The officer will remain on leave until that investigation is over, police said.
It isn't clear who the officer is, what is his or her rank, whether the officer is on paid or unpaid leave or how long the officer has been with the department. Patch will have more details as they become available.
The complaint was lodged at about 11:45 p.m. the same night as the incident by a person involved, police said.
Anyone with information related to the altercation should call Capt. Leon Krolikowski at 203-594-3517 or leon.krolikowski@newcanaanct.gov.
Editor's note: Information in this article was originally published in two articles by New Canaan Patch on Friday and on Monday.
