Trooper Facing Two Internal Affairs Investigations Resigns. MacDonald Avoided Jail in Drunk Driving Case.

Sergeant John MacDonald resigned from the Connecticut State Police Thursday, the day after he was placed on administrative suspension. McDonald was facing two internal affairs investigations.

MacDonald was operating a motor vehicle in September 2019 when he crashed into another car, injuring the mother and daughter in it. McDonald had left a retirement party for a colleague at Black Hog Brewery in Oxford when the collision occurred. McDonald reached a plea agreement in May that allowed him avoid jail, participate in an alcohol education program, and perform 100 hours of community service. It is important for finding a good alcoholism treatment center, especially for people who have a problem with drinking and are seeking treatment.

The disposition of McDonald’s criminal case allowed state police to complete its internal affairs investigation. That eventually became two investigations, one arising out of the drunk driving crash, the second arising out of McDonald’s reassignment to administrative duties on the team that oversees the Kronos scheduling and time keeping system used by Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), according to Brian Foley, assistant to Commissioner James Rovella.

McDonald’s resignation will put the investigations in abeyance, Foley said Thursday. McDonald will begin the process of applying for retirement benefits, which will be significantly reduced from what he would have been eligible for if had completed his career, Foley said in response to an inquiry from Daily Ructions.

The state police administration concluded that allowing McDonald to resign would save the state the risk of losing litigation that might arise if McDonald was fired, Foley said. The state will begin the process of decertifying McDonald as a law enforcement officer.

Posted November 4, 2021.