Thursday, January 22, 2009

Officer William Edwards Sr Charged with Sexual Assault of Child

New London Community Police Officer William R. Edwards Sr. appeared in Norwich Superior Court this morning on charges related to the sexual assault of a child.

Edwards, 45, has been charged with third-degree sexual assault, second-degree unlawful restraint, tampering with a witness and two counts of risk of injury to a minor. He was arrested this morning by state police at Troop E in Montville.

New London Police Chief Bruce Rinehart suspended Edwards without pay following Edwards' arrest.

The suspension was effective immediately, said Rinehart, and will be in effect pending the outcome of the court case. Rinehart had been unable to suspend Edwards until his arrest because Edwards had been hospitalized since early December.

The chief and New London Police Capt. Margaret Ackley met Edwards at Troop E where state police processed him.

“It's an unfortunate thing,'' Rinehart said. “Law enforcement is one big family and when these things happen to our brothers and sisters, these things affect us all.''

He said the department is also conducting an internal investigation into the allegations.

Edwards was accompanied in court by his attorney, Paul Guernsey, and by his brother, Kenneth Edwards, a former New London police officer. He posted $100,000 bond.

Judge Barbara Jongbloed issued a full protective order forbidding William Edwards from having any contact with the victim and added the condition that he cooperate with the Institute of the Living, a psychiatric institution in Hartford, where he had been hospitalized since early December.

His case has been transferred to Danielson Superior Court and his next appearance is scheduled for Feb. 11

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