LITCHFIELD, N.H. (AP) -Police Chief Joseph O’Brion said he is sorry for a prank that caused an uproar between the police and fire departments.

The officers, Russell Hartley III and Gary Gott, were on duty early Feb. 18 when they found an unlocked door at the Litchfield Fire Department. After determining that no one else was in the building, they pretended to stage a party, an investigation from the attorney general’s office determined Monday. State investigators said the officers’ behavior was inappropriate, but not criminal, and did not press charges.

Firefighters walked out of a town meeting Monday after learning the officers wouldn’t be disciplined for deciding to play a prank at the local fire station. They also confronted O’Brion, who refused to apologize at the time.

Tuesday, he sent a letter of apology to Fire Chief Tom Schofield.

“My sincerest apology for the actions of my personnel at your fire department,” O’Brion wrote. “I can assure you that the intent of the officers was not of malice or disrespect of your agency or employees.”

He described the incident was “a good-natured prank that was in the spirit of the competitive rivalry between police and fire departments throughout the United States.”

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Information from: The Telegraph, http://www.nashuatelegraph.com

AP-ES-02-28-07 1520EST

BC-NH–Fire Station Vandalized,0216

Police chief apologizes for officers’ prank

LITCHFIELD, N.H. (AP) – Police Chief Joseph O’Brion said he is sorry for a prank that caused an uproar between the police and fire departments.

The officers, Russell Hartley III and Gary Gott, were on duty early Feb. 18 when they found an unlocked door at the Litchfield Fire Department. After determining that no one else was in the building, they pretended to stage a party, an investigation from the attorney general’s office determined Monday. State investigators said the officers’ behavior was inappropriate, but not criminal, and did not press charges.

Firefighters walked out of a town meeting Monday after learning the officers wouldn’t be disciplined for deciding to play a prank at the local fire station. They also confronted O’Brion, who refused to apologize at the time.

Tuesday, he sent a letter of apology to Fire Chief Tom Schofield.

“My sincerest apology for the actions of my personnel at your fire department,” O’Brion wrote. “I can assure you that the intent of the officers was not of malice or disrespect of your agency or employees.”

He described the incident was “a good-natured prank that was in the spirit of the competitive rivalry between police and fire departments throughout the United States.”

—

Information from: The Telegraph, http://www.nashuatelegraph.com

AP-ES-02-28-07 1520EST