Investigation into Southington Fire Chief to End Without Arrest

Southington Fire Chief Harold "Buddy" Clark will not face charges following a criminal investigation into an alleged incident between the head of the and volunteer firefighter Steven Bull, but many questions remain in the case.

Police and members of the Board of Fire Commissioners confirmed Monday evening that the case has closed without an arrest.

Several members of the Board of Fire Commissioners said they were informed by Board Chairman Robert Sherman that the case, which officers confirmed last month , was completed and there would be no arrest. That doesn't mean that the Board of Fire Commissioners is done with their end, however.

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"I fully expect a complete report on the investigation and we have a duty as a board to look at all the facts in this case," said board member Dolores Longo.

Longo said earlier this month that she was angry the board has not been given details to this point, but that she also did not want to do anything to interfere with the investigation.

Clark, who was present at a council meeting Monday night, declined comment on the case and allegations.

The investigation, which police said began after an incident during a response to a Darling Street fire that left Bull with injuries to his wrist, .

Following the incident, Bull was suspended from duty and according to an emailed letter sent to Clark and the Board of Fire Commissioners, he has not been given the due process of having a hearing to determine why he was suspended or for how long.

Fire Capt. Richard Kowalec, a volunteer captain with , said in the email that the company wants answers regarding the reason behind the suspension and questioned whether Clark is acting outside the department's proceedures.

"The officers of Engine Co. No. 2 would like to see action on this issue as it is keeping a valuable resource, a daytime firefighter, from responding to assignments," according to the email, which has been leaked to the media.

Board Vice-Chairman Ann Dandrow told the Record-Journal Monday night that she still wants to see a report and hopes the investigation will begin to provide answers regarding what happened that day and why Bull was suspended:

"I think it's kind of hard to be on the commission and not have that report," she said Monday. "...I don't know if this clears the suspension up."

Officers reached were unable to comment on the case Monday evening and police have not released further details regarding the case.

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