Schenectady police sergeant suspended after being charged with DWI

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A city police sergeant has been suspended without pay and faces possible termination after a drunken driving arrest and related allegations this weekend, acting Mayor Gary McCarthy confirmed late this afternoon.

Sgt. William Fennell was arrested in Bethlehem, accused of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and refusing a breath test, McCarthy confirmed.

McCarthy said that when he learned of the allegations, he directed that Fennell be suspended without pay.

The suspension is to last 30 days, McCarthy said. But it could essentially last longer, if Fennell loses his drivers license over the breath test refusal, officials have said.

“The fact pattern brings embarrassment on the department,” he said. “We want our officers to be viewed as community leaders. We will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Fennell was one of three officers to open fire in August on a man police said had a gun. Fennell and two other officers fired a total of 14 shots, killing Luis Rivera, 33. Authorities have said the shooting appeared to be justified under department policies.

Fennell is a 10-year veteran of the force.