New London
State police have obtained an arrest warrant charging William R. Edwards Sr., a well-known city patrolman, with sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
Edwards, 45, has been hospitalized under psychiatric care for several days, preventing state police from serving a warrant that charges him with risk of injury to a minor, third-degree sexual assault, unlawful restraint and tampering with a witness, according to several law enforcement sources. Details of the alleged crimes are not available.
Over the weekend, New London City Manager Martin Berliner sent an e-mail to members of the City Council to inform them of the pending charges. Berliner wrote that police Chief Bruce F. Rinehart informed him on Dec. 4 that state police were investigating Edwards for an off-duty incident. The city manager said he did not plan to tell the councilors until Edwards was arrested “in fairness to Officer Edwards.”
”Unfortunately, since the process has taken so long, you may have heard about this situation from someone else. For that I am sorry,” Berliner wrote. “At this point, a signed arrest warrant is on file with state police. You will be informed when the warrant is executed.”
Rinehart said Edwards requested and is currently on paid leave. He said he could not comment on the allegations since the investigation is ongoing.
Edwards is a 20-year veteran of the police department who serves as the city's crime prevention officer, working with various groups of city residents, including children, the elderly, neighborhood watch groups and business owners. His family is well known in New London, where Edwards' father, Kenneth W. Edwards Sr., is a retired deputy fire chief, and his brother, Kenneth W. Edwards Jr., is a retired police captain.
Members of the police union discussed the situation at a meeting on Tuesday so officers would be aware of Edwards' impending arrest and be prepared to respond to any backlash they might hear during the course of their duties in the community, according to a police source.
Edwards is the president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and was in charge of its finances, according to a source, who said a committee of patrolmen are checking the PBA's finances. He is also a past president of the New London Rotary Club.
Edwards is married and has two children. Court records indicate that Deutsche Bank foreclosed on the family home at 68 Cedar Grove Ave. in July and that the bank repossessed the home.
The New London Police Department and the county's state's attorneys have not been involved in the investigation. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, state police detectives at Troop E investigated the allegations involving Edwards and presented a warrant affidavit to be signed by officials in Windham County.
9 comments:
This whole story is ripping my stomach to bits. I know Bill well, and if he is guilty, I'll always wonder why... it seems to me that humans are flawed - all of us - and nobody is completely good or completely evil. Bill really has done immeasurable good for my city, and I'll always remember him for that. I'll be incredibly sad if these allegations hold up under harsh light. Surprised and shocked is how the whole community is feeling. I pray for Bill and his entire family. If there was actually a victim, I pray for them the most, as it could not be easy to turn in such a highly regarded man.
I really don't believe this. As a former employee of the New London Police Department, I can attest to this man's merit that he is one of the finest men in the state of Connecticut. If there is any ounce of truth to this story, then it sounds like he is being tested among some terribly trying times in his life. If all that were left of Officer Edwards were his glasses and mustache, then he would still be more of an outstanding human being than anyone else I have ever met in my life.
I believe this article should be taken off the site immediatley. Bill has a daughter and son who are emotionally devastated,and trying their hardest just to get by this holiday season, and mindless things like this just make it worse.
Fuck bill this should be left up to help prevent future victims
i know bill as well . and he is a very good person, BUT, the signs are there. Some of the comments he makes, the way he talks, and just his overall attitude. I'm not putting him down, i'm just saying he has some of the qualities of a child molester. And there's a saying, " Not every man that has a mustache is a pedophile, but every pedophile has a mustache"
No he is not the finest man in ct, I don't know what you are talking about.He constantly intimidating locals. People in new london can clearly see that this man is evil! , and clearly guilty!
Know what the craziest part is? He got out and got a job at a halfway house watching dudes piss💯💯
What's really sad is he works Fellowship House halfway house and children are there often visiting their family member. Offender's that reside there for whatever charges. Yet the program does not allow sex offender's in the program but sex offender's work there. Bill and Dave (Dave is the director)
Most of the comments', saying this PIG, was a great guy, are nothing but pervert, predator, pedophile enablers, you should be ashamed of yourself, get mental help, and stay away from children, you perverts.
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