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Date: 11/9/2022
SPRINGFIELD – City Councilor Justin Hurst has said that a former Springfield police officer should not be employed as a firefighter in the city, but the Sarno administration disagrees.
According to Hurst, Luke Cournoyer has completed the Fire Academy and is ready to be hired by the city as among its newest firefighters.
Cournoyer came to prominence during the investigation and trial of former Detectives Greg Bigda and Steven Vigneault and their interrogation of several teenagers who were arrested for stealing Vigneault’s undercover police car in 2017.
Cournoyer was a witness to the incident and testified to a federal grand jury under a grant of immunity.
“This hire does not happen without Mayor Domenic Sarno and Commissioner BJ Calvi knowing about it and sanctioning it. I’m confident that an investigation will reveal that at every stage of the hiring process those involved knew exactly who Cournoyer was and either intentionally overlooked his checkered past or were told to do so by their superiors. A simple Google search by anyone who cared to know his background is all that it would have taken to eliminate Cournoyer from consideration. I can’t bring myself to believe that the hiring process in the Fire Department is so flawed that they are not even doing simple background checks before they hire people in positions to protect and serve,” Hurst said in a written statement.
City Solicitor John Payne responded to Hurst’s allegations and wrote, “In response to an email from Councilor Hurst, which unfortunately contains misinformation about Mr. Luke Cournoyer, it is important to note that Mr. Cournoyer had every legal right to take the state Civil Service exam and seek a position with the Springfield Fire Department. When the list came out, Mr. Cournoyer was within the top tier on the Civil Service list. He was a Navy corpsman embedded with the United States Marine Corps while serving combat tours of duty in Afghanistan. It is important to note that nothing precluded Mr. Cournoyer from serving as a Springfield Police Officer, as the State Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission had certified his status. Additionally, Mr. Cournoyer, a Springfield resident, was hired with the Springfield Fire Department pursuant to the affirmative action consent decree which the city of Springfield was under for a number of years.
“Additionally, Mr. Cournoyer is entitled to the same hiring opportunities afforded to every other qualified citizen and based on his Civil Service exam standing, failure to appoint him would have led to an appeal and which in my opinion would have led to a reversal. Councilor Hurst unfortunately continues to share misinformation about the situation. Mr. Cournoyer, served his country bravely and honorably as a member of the U.S. Marine Corp. He cooperated fully with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation and was never indicted or charged with any crimes.”
Hurst said, “Firefighters serve the citizens of Springfield in many ways. They inspire our next generation, give back to the community, and most importantly, are called upon to selflessly risk their own lives to save others. They work hard to bring honor and integrity to their profession. Allowing Cournoyer to serve by their side is disrespectful to the brave men and women in the Fire Department who hold themselves to a higher standard. The City of Springfield has succeeded in rewarding Cournoyer with employment in another city department after he has embarrassed and shined a negative light on the entire Police Department, cost the city close to a million dollars and counting, and is one of the reasons why we are currently under a consent decree by the Department of Justice. This hiring sends the wrong message not only to the Police and Fire departments, but also to everyone who is employed by the city of Springfield.”