Naugatuck police are investigating some Facebook posts made by one of their own as the officer is offering an apology for those posts.
The Department was made aware of the undated videos posted by Lieutenant Bryan Cammarata on his personal Facebook page.
Police chief Christopher Edson called the content of the videos concerning and began an internal affairs investigation to determine if Cammarata violated any Department policies, according to a release.
Naugatuck police did not reveal the content of the videos, but the Hearst Connecticut Media group of newspapers said one video shows Cammarata, the department's public information officer, donning a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hat and commenting that he has been having a lot of luck recently getting to front of lines at stores, the DMV and other businesses in Waterbury.
In another video, he discusses a going into a coffee shop where they, "spoke English, they understood in English," according to the report.
In a statement issued Sunday night, Cammarata said the videos date back to 2017.
"Those videos have offended folks in Naugatuck and surrounding communities and they have placed me, and unfortunately by extension, the Naugatuck Police Department in a bad light," Cammarata said in the statement.
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"I am sorry for the videos that I posted. In posting them, I attempted to use satire to shed a humorous light on the issue of immigration that has been part of our country’s dialogue for the last few years. My attempt at humor missed the mark. I have offended folks in the community with my commentary. I am truly sorry for that. As a police officer, father, and community volunteer, I can do better," he said.
Chief Edson said the message in the videos "is in contrast to the values of the Naugatuck Police Department and not representative of the high level of public service the community of Naugatuck expects and deserves."
Cammarata also apologized to his fellow police officers and said he knows he now has to earn back the trust of the people of Naugatuck.
"I have nothing but love and compassion in my heart for all people of every color, creed, gender, and orientation and have dedicated my life towards helping others at every opportunity," he said.
