Detective disciplined for proposing “dead pool” to bet on first 2021 murder

Gamblers are often advised, usually in vain, to quit while they’re ahead.

But one would-be wagerer in blue may well wish he’d considered his path to fun, fortune, and glory more carefully before taking a single step.

The Connecticut police detective in question has found himself on the sharp end of some departmental discipline after proposing a betting pool to wager on the location of Hartford’s first homicide of 2021.

The detective, a member of Hartford police department’s Major Crimes Unit, was immediately reassigned for suggesting the so-called “dead pool” and will be disciplined “in short order,” Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody wrote in a statement Friday evening.

The cop, who has not been publicly named, asked colleagues and court officials in a text message to put in $20 for a “pin” to mark the location on a map of Hartford where they predicted the first murder of 2021 would occur, the Hartford Courant reported. Whoever guessed closest to the actual location would then win the pool of money.

Dubbed the “Major Crimes Dead Pool,” the questionable sporting scheme is now the subject of an internal enquiry, and the precise disciplinary measures facing its architect are in the hands of Thody, Lt. Paul Cicero told The New York Post Monday.

“We’re still working on it,” Cicero said. “It’s going to take a while to play out.”

Although no bets were actually placed, Thody pulled no punches in censuring the detective for “an appalling lack of judgement, an extreme insensitivity toward our community and a clear violation of department policy for which there will be serious consequences.”

“We will render specific discipline in short order,” the Police Chief continued. “At a time when we are trying to build trust, I am as disappointed in this behavior as I am sure all of you are.”

There was “no ambiguity about the facts” of the case, Thody argued, noting that the detective had been reassigned from his unit and will be charged with violating the department’s code of conduct.

“In a year when we have solved more homicides than any year in memory, it also does a disservice to the incredibly hard work that so many of our officers are doing on a daily basis to prevent and solve serious crimes,” Thody added.

Just one recipient of the detective’s text message replied, writing “Ty,” an abbreviation for “thank you,” the Courant reported.

Thody further lambasted the detective in an internal message to the department Friday evening, rejecting notions that the wager was only a bit of light-hearted entertainment, according to the newspaper.

“Some may feel that these and other comments are harmless jokes, or perhaps a way to blow off steam in a stressful profession,” the Police Chief wrote. “I am telling you that is not reality … Our community rightfully expects more of us.”

Department officials said they will continue to investigate any officers who received the message.