After pursuit, homeowner demands action

Hamden, Conn. (WTNH) -- Three Hamden police officers could be in hot water for their role in a high speed chase back in January.

There are reports that disciplinary action is being considered against the officers.

Every police department in Connecticut has its own pursuit policy. In Hamden they are looking to see if three officers here violated that policy back in January.

The pursuit ended with the suspect crashing a car into a house, landing on a man sleeping inside. That man was injured in the incident.

"I came here and I saw my house, I was like shocked," said the home's owner Bolent Ozalp.

Three months later the repairs are done and the house is once again available to rent, but Ozlap says the whole thing has cost him money and caused him anxiety.

"I am blaming this to Hamden Police department and city of Hamden. Why the guys they chasing the kid. It didn't matter, he didn't kill anybody," he said.

Now Hamden Police are also examining the officers decision to pursue that night.
    
Connecticut has a uniform pursuit policy that serves as a model for local departments. It says an officer should weigh whether the pursuit is less dangerous to the public than potential danger to the community if the offender remains at large.

The question remains, did officers violate that policy when they decided to chase Quintel Penn on a motor vehicle charge, crossing the town line into New Haven?

Ozlap believes the Hamden officers should be disciplined for what he considers a dangerous pursuit.

"What kind of cops you are," he asked. "Somebody could die on the street."

The police commission which considers discipline for the department meets again next month.