A report by the state public safety commissioner's office has found problems at the state fire academy including procedural failures, inappropriate communications and possible false allegations of recruit misconduct.
The review examined a black New London firefighter recruit's experiences at the academy last year.
The recruit, Alfred Mayo, was fired by New London officials who cited low test scores in December, three days before his expected graduation. He is accusing the city and the academy of racial discrimination.
City officials said the report released clarifies reports the city received from the academy, there are outstanding issues with Mayo's driver's license.
The department cited low test scores as a reason for the termination. The investigation found that Mayo scored a 90 on this certification exam, the Day reports.
Mayo claims he was fired because he is Black.
The Day of New London reports the review also noted that a white male recruit in Mayo's class was caught cheating on a test but was allowed to graduate and was hired by his hometown fire department.
"I welcome the report from the state on the practices and procedures at the Fire Academy," Mayor Daryl Finzio said in a statement. "When information came to light of incidents at the fire academy, I publicly called for an investigation of the academy, not only for the current case, but for all future hires that will have to go through the academy. We in the City of New London need to be able to rely on all information the academy gives us in the future and this report is a first step in ensuring that."
Mayo also claims he was continually hazed, singled out and accused of vandalism, while in training.
“I’m looking for justice because I don’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Mayo said when he first made the accusations during a NAACP meeting in February. “I worked really hard and I was looking forward to having the greatest career of my life.”
"As regards Mr. Mayo, while this report clarifies certain issues with the reports the city received from the academy, there remains an outstanding issue regarding Mr. Mayo's driver's license. Mr. Mayo was cited for excessive speeding and other moving violations in November of last year by the CT State Police and his case is still pending," Finzio said.
The mayor said a driver's license is "an essential qualification" to becoming a firefighter.
"Mr. Mayo has prior marks against his driving record and until his case is disposed of, the decision of the City of New London regarding his employment with the City of New London continues to stand," Finzio said.
Moving forward, the report does recommend several changes at the academy, including diversity training, the Day reports.
The NAACP was at the state Capitol on Tuesday for a news conference on the report.
