Community Corner
Cossette Resigns Amidst Conviction of Police Brutality
Former Meriden police officer Evan Cossette, who was convicted of police brutality in a federal court Monday, has announced his intent to resign, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Evan Cossette, the embattled Meriden police officer convicted Monday of using excessive and unnecessary force in shoving an inmate in a holding cell and lying about it to investigators, has resigned from his job with the department, city officials confirmed Tuesday.
In a phone call to City Personnel Director Caroline Beitman Tuesday morning, the son of Meriden Police Chief Jeffry Cossette offered his verbal resignation, effectively eliminating the need for a termination hearing in the case.
Cossette, 26, was convicted Monday on two federal counts, including using unreasonable force as a police officer and obstructing a federal investigation.
Stories on the Evan Cossette Trial:
- Meriden Officer Evan Cossette Found Guilty in Brutality Case
- Accused Officer Evan Cossette Testifies in Alleged Brutality Trial
- Prosecution Rests in Cossette Case; Accused Meriden Cop Could Testify
- Video of Meriden Officer Shoving Prisoner Showed During First Day of Brutality Trial
- Meriden Police Brutality Case Going to Trial
He had been on administrative leave since being indicted by a federal grand jury in New Haven in November 2012, when an FBI investigation revealed that he had caused significant injuries to inmate Pedro Temich as the Meriden resident was in police custody in late 2010.
According to evidence presented at his trial, Cossette was caught on police surveillance video shoving Temich following Temich's arrest on allegations of drunk driving. Temich fell backwards and hit his head on a concrete bench, causing a bloody gash.
Police officials remain quiet on the matter as the union and family members have not issued a statement since the conviction. Cossette and his attorney, Raymond Hassett, declined comment following the conviction Monday.
Messages left with several officers representing the union and with Police Chief Jeffry Cossette were not returned on Tuesday.
Under court order, Evan Cossette is unable to leave the state as he awaits sentencing in the case. Cossette now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and will now be ineligible to serve as a police officer again, the U.S. Department of Justice reported.
Cossette will be due back in the U.S. District Court in New Haven on Aug. 28 for sentencing.
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