Wethersfield Police Chief Placed On Paid Administrative Leave

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran has been placed on paid administrative leave, The Hartford Courant reported. No reason for why Cetran has been placed on leave was provided.

Town Manager Gary Evans confirmed the move and said "we are undergoing a further review and/or investigation of this situation," according to The Hartford Courant.

Cetran, a 46-year veteran of the department, was promoted to chief in 2003. He was criticized for several incidents in recent years including the 2019 shooting death of an 18-year-old man.

In that case, officer Layau Eulizier shot 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz on April 20 during a traffic stop, The Associated Press reported. Police body camera and business surveillance videos show Eulizier firing through the front windshield of Vega Cruz's car as Vega Cruz drives at him while trying to flee a traffic stop.

The victim's family's lawyers described the officer as a "ticking time bomb" because of problems he had at another police department. The attorneys criticized the officer for running in front of the car and creating a dangerous situation, according to The Associated Press.

See related: Cop Who Shot Teen In Wethersfield 'Ticking Time Bomb': Lawyers