Bridgeport Top Cops Rigged Exam, Lied to Feds: DOJ

BRIDGEPORT, CT – The highest ranks of the Bridgeport Police Department are facing federal charges after a scheme to manipulate the 2018 police chief examination was exposed, according to a release from the Department of Justice. ARMANDO J. PEREZ, the Chief of Police of the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and DAVID DUNN, the City’s acting personnel director, were arrested today and charged with fraud and making false statements to federal agents.

Acting United States Attorney Audrey Strauss didn’t mince words. “As alleged, Chief Perez and Personnel Director Dunn schemed to rig the purportedly impartial and objective search for a permanent police chief to ensure the position was awarded to Perez, and then repeatedly lied to federal agents in order to conceal their conduct,” Strauss stated. “Bridgeport’s citizens and police officers deserve leaders with integrity who are committed to enforcing, not breaking, the law.”

The feds allege that Perez, then the acting police chief, colluded with Dunn to guarantee his selection for the permanent position. The City’s Charter mandated an “open and competitive examination” to identify the top three candidates, from which the mayor would choose. Instead, Dunn, overseeing the process, allegedly stole confidential exam questions and provided them to Perez. He also allegedly directed an outside consultant to tailor scoring criteria to favor Perez. The manipulation didn’t stop there: Perez reportedly enlisted two BPD officers to ghostwrite his exam responses.

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge David Sundberg emphasized the severity of the betrayal. “Today’s arrest of city officials including a high ranking, long-time law enforcement officer is a stark reminder that the betrayal of public trust and community members by a public servant is not only unethical but often illegal,” Sundberg said. He clarified the investigation isn’t a blanket indictment of the entire department, but stressed the FBI’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels.

According to the complaint, the scheme unfolded in February 2018. Dunn, as personnel director, retained an outside consultant to develop the exam. However, Dunn then allegedly provided Perez with stolen exam materials via email. Furthermore, Dunn allegedly attempted to influence a panelist to ensure a favorable outcome for Perez. The specifics of that attempted influence were not immediately released.

Both PEREZ and DUNN are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport federal court this afternoon. The charges carry significant penalties, and if convicted, both men face a lengthy reckoning for their alleged abuse of power and disregard for the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and bring you the unvarnished truth from the streets and the courts.