Police Lt. Reprimanded for Sandy Hook Response

A Newtown police lieutenant is under fire for his late response to Sandy Hook Elementary School on the morning of Dec. 14, police sources said.

The Newtown Police Union learned this week that Lt. George Sinko received a written reprimand from Chief Michael Kehoe, according to the police union.

However, police sources told NBC Connecticut officers are upset and believe Sinko’s punishment has been too lenient.

Sources said Sinko was directing traffic at a construction site when the first emergency calls came through for shots fired at Sandy Hook Elementary.

While police officers rushed to the scene, Sinko stayed at the construction site, then stopped at the police department on his way to the school, police sources said. 

Sources said Sinko arrived at the school at least an hour after Adam Lanza opened fire, killing 20 students and six educators before turning the gun on himself.

NBC Connecticut left several phone messages and sent emails to Kehoe but did not hear back.

Kehoe told the Danbury News Times that Sinko was off duty during the shooting and was being disciplined for “failure to carry his radio and failure to keep it on.”

"He was not going to be a first responder, Kehoe told the paper. "He was not on duty at that moment. When he did arrive, he was immediately given responsibilities that would have overwhelmed most officers, and he performed admirably."

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