Lawsuits filed against Meriden PD

Meriden, Conn (WTNH) - Nine allegations that a police chief father has gone easy on his officer son has not only sparked talk in Meriden, but brought about two lawsuits.

John Neron quit after 11 years on the force. He is now suing the chief.

"I don't think I had any choice," Neron said.

Neron claims that once on his new job, the chief revealed disciplinary information from his personnel file, information that got him fired.

Neron sued unsuccessfully before. Now he is trying again with another officer, both claiming invasion of privacy.

"If that's the type of leadership, then he shouldn't be there," Neron said.

These latest lawsuits come as the department and the chief are being investigated by state police and the FBI for how brutality complaints against the chief's son have been handled. The son, officer Evan Cossette, is seen on surveillance video pushing a handcuffed man. A complaint claims he was treated favorably in internal investigations because his dad is chief.

Neron says there's always been a double standard when it came to punishments.

"You got two totally different disciplinary actions. One a little waive, and the other one, 30 days," he said.

Residents we talked to say an outside agency should look into the issue, but they still have confidence in the force.

"You've got to have accountability, no matter how high up you go," resident Luke Smith said.

News 8 reached out to Chief Jeffry Cossette, but he did not speak with us.