HARTFORD — The Freedom of Information Commission unanimously adopted a hearing officer’s recommendation that the town release a police internal affairs report.

In the Wednesday decision, the commission agreed to add redactions based on requests from the hearing officer and an attorney representing the Town of Cheshire. The town has 45 days to appeal the decision.

The Record-Journal sought a copy of the investigation into a 2007 incident involving then-officer Jeffrey Falk and a female employee of the department. He was disciplined with an unpaid suspension and remains under workplace restrictions to reduce contact between him and the female employee.

Falk was promoted to sergeant last summer, prompting new workplace restrictions addressing contact with the female employee. He’s also a Town Council member.

In a written recommendation to the commission, hearing officer Valicia Dee Harmon agreed with some of the town's arguments that portions of the investigation need not be released, such as medical information. Harmon wrote that most of the 150-page report was of public interest, however.

During Wednesday’s commission meeting, Harmon requested two more redactions of the document reviewed by her and town officials. The commission also agreed to redact identifying information such as the address of the female employee.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com
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Twitter: @JBuchananRJ