Stratford police used dogs to search Department of Public Works facilities Thursday, one day after two employees were arrested and charged with selling drugs. No drugs were found, officials said during a press conference.
Mayor John A. Harkins said he was “sickened” by the allegations that two long-time employees were selling drugs while on their job.
Patrick Ambrose, 38, of Stratford was charged with five counts of illegal narcotics sales and four counts of sales within 1,500 feet of a school.
Todd Whitlock, 37, of Milford was charged with four counts of illegal narcotics sales and one count of illegally supplying prescription drugs.
The incidents occurred mainly during June and July of this year, police said at a press conference.
Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said police encountered the men during regular Narcotics Unit work, not during any investigation of the Department of Public Works. The men were both arrested by warrant, not on the job.
Town officials said they have no knowledge that the men arrested were using drugs, and thus no knowledge of if they operated town vehicles or equipment while under the influence.
Marc Dillon, chief of staff for Harkins, said there is a drug testing program in place for all town employees.
Harkins said at the press conference that he wants Oxycodone added to the drugs covered by the testing program, but that changes would be subject to labor negotiations.
Harkins said he is ‘saddened, disapppointed and disgusted” by the allegations, and that he takes zero tolerance “dead serious.”