Details of Harassment, Retirement Involving New London, CT, Firefighter Emerge

New London — A veteran New London firefighter retired earlier this year after an investigation found he harassed a fellow firefighter, according to newly released documents.

Former Lt. Daniel Sawyer retired Jan. 24 after at least 16 years with the fire department. His retirement came less than a month after an investigation by an outside law firm concluded Sawyer had violated the city’s policy against harassment and discrimination, the no-discrimination provision of his union contract, and the department’s “standard operating procedure.” A disciplinary hearing was pending when Sawyer announced his retirement.

Heavily redacted documents the city released Thursday to The Day in response to a Freedom of Information Act request reveal the city hired Hartford-based law firm Rose Kallor on Aug. 5, 2024, to investigate allegations of harassment that came to light during an unrelated investigation at the fire department.

The allegations against Sawyer, the name and gender of the firefighter whom he allegedly harassed, and many other details are blacked out in the documents released to The Day. City Attorney Brian Estep said in an email that the redactions are based on provisions in state law that allow for the protection of whistleblowers and for withholding files whose release would constitute an invasion of privacy.

The investigation determined that Sawyer had made unwanted comments that led the unnamed firefighter, who had been hired two years earlier, to feel uncomfortable, avoid overtime shifts with Sawyer and even hide from him whenever possible, according to the report. The firefighter in question did not seek a formal investigation and, records show, resisted when Fire Chief Vernon Skau insisted an investigation was necessary.

The investigation also determined Sawyer breached a no-contact order put in place by Skau when he first learned of the allegations. Sawyer had been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation was underway.

Sawyer, who public records show is now working as a firefighter in Montville, could not be reached for comment.

Montville Mayor Leonard Bunnell said Friday that Sawyer has been an outstanding addition to the paid firefighter staff in his town and that there have been “no issues whatsoever” with his job performance. Bunnell said he was not aware of anything in Sawyer’s personnel file that would have raised a red flag in terms of Sawyer’s being hired in Montville.

Most of Sawyer’s answers redacted from report

The city of New London’s harassment and discrimination policy covers a broad range of behavior that includes “words, conduct, adverse job action, signs, jokes, pranks, intimidation, physical contact or violence” against an individual based on factors such as their race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin or disability status. It also prohibits sexual advances, propositions and flirtations; “hugs, touches, kisses”; and other types of sexual harassment.

Sawyer is not the only New London firefighter who has been accused of sexual harassment in recent years. Former Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Paige was placed on leave in March 2023 because of allegations that he sexually harassed a fellow firefighter’s girlfriend while off duty. Paige retired in July 2023 after the release of a report by Rose Kallor that concluded he had violated department policies.

Some examples of the complaints against Sawyer are contained in the report but are nearly indecipherable:

“(Redacted) stated that (Sawyer) was initially professional, but he became increasingly more (redacted) over time. (Redacted) could recall a few specific instances that made (redacted) uncomfortable and has stated that since April 2024, the (redacted) has been constant but could not articulate specifics or describe the conduct with any detail,” the report states.

“(Redacted) stated that (redacted) is not afraid of (Sawyer) physically, but (redacted) is very uncomfortable around him and has chosen to avoid working any overtime shifts at his fire station,” the report reads.

Sawyer appears to have denied the allegations in an interview with investigators, though most of his responses are redacted from the documents.

“(Sawyer) believes Firefighter (redacted) is a ‘great’ person and ‘great’ Firefighter. He did not mean to offend (redacted) or make (redacted) feel uncomfortable. He is unaware of any motivation that Firefighter (redacted) would have to misrepresent allegations,” the report states.

Investigation expands to 3 other firefighters

The investigation later expanded beyond Sawyer as new information was obtained through interviews with numerous fire department members. Battalion Chief Reginald Hansen, Lt. Steven Wargo and firefighter Phil Allen all became targets of the investigation.

Allen reportedly was overheard making “discriminatory comments” regarding a firefighter’s prospective employment at the department, records show. Allen allegedly said the firefighter “would undoubtedly be hired as (redacted).”

“That comment offended (redacted) because (Allen) made (redacted) feel that if (redacted) was ultimately hired by the City of New London, it would not be based upon (redacted) own merit but due to (redacted) protected class(es).”

The investigation determined Allen’s comments violated the city’s anti-harassment policy.

A complaint against Wargo was found to be unsubstantiated, the report states.

Hansen was investigated for a comment another firefighter overheard him make. That comment is redacted in the report.

When interviewed by investigators, Hansen did not recall making a disparaging comment about the firefighter in question and said, “My morals and standards and values ... the fact that someone says that I said that about somebody, it makes me feel ashamed and embarrassed.”

It is unclear whether either Allen or Hansen was disciplined.

The president of the firefighters union, Tim Jeffery, declined to comment on the investigation but said that “the department’s going in the right direction.”

Skau, the chief, also declined comment but issued a written statement.

“The Fire Administration and City Administration met regarding the original release of the investigation reports. While we do not comment on specific personnel or disciplinary matters, I can confirm that the reports have been thoroughly reviewed and acted upon,” Skau said in his email.

Steve Fields, New London’s chief administrative officer, said the city has a responsibility whenever a complaint is received to fully investigate the matter and take whatever disciplinary action is necessary. There are times, Fields said, when the action involved retraining or counseling.

“We don’t sweep these things under the rug or ignore any issues,” Fields said.

Fields said Skau has done a “very, very credible job in dealing with these complaints.”

Mayor Michael Passero, a former New London firefighter, declined to answer questions about specifics of the case but said, “I’m proud of the fact, after decades of trying, we have made inroads in diversifying the department.”

“Any allegation of harassment, in any city department, is aggressively investigated, and we have routinely held people accountable,” Passero added.

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