Meriden Police Chief's Son Indicted on Brutality Charge

A grand jury has charged following an investigation into accusations that he used excessive force on a prisoner.

and who is at the center of allegations of favoritism in the police department, was charged under a two-count indictment issued by a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford, U.S. Attorney David B. Fein announced today.

The indictment alleges that , causing the prisoner to fall and strike his head on a cement cell bench. The prisoner, identified as P.T. by federal prosecutors, suffered a severe gash on his head and lost consciousness, but regained it prior to the arrival of paramedics. 

“However, Cossette falsely told a paramedic attempting to gain important medical information that P.T. had not lost consciousness,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in its press release today. “P.T. was then transported to the hospital for further treatment.

“The indictment further alleges that Cossette obstructed justice by making false and misleading statements, as well as material omissions, in his report relating to the arrest and processing of P.T. in order to cover up and create a false justification for his assault upon P.T.”

Under the indictment, Cossette is charged with one count of use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  He is also charged with one count of obstruction of a federal investigation by preparing a false report, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Cossette arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven.

Fein stressed in his press release today that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police are investigating and Assistant United States Attorney Paul H. McConnell is prosecuting the case.

The police department also is being sued by two people who allege its officers used excessive force during arrests.