Norwalk police released a statement on Tuesday night in response to the recent arrests of three officers in the department.

In the statement, Norwalk Police Chief James Walsh did not name the officers, but said the actions of the three individuals do not define the department as a whole.

On Saturday, Officer David Vetare was arrested after a road rage incident in Trumbull, according to Connecticut State Police. He allegedly threw an object at a woman’s car and followed her in an attempt to run her off the road. He has been charged with operating a motor vehicle with the intention to harass or intimidate and breach of peace in the second degree.

On Feb 23, Officer Hector Delgado was arrested on an outstanding warrant for charges of stalking and harassment. Norwalk police said Delgado was placed on administrative leave, had his duty firearm seized and his police powers suspended.

On April 19, 2023, Sgt. Shannon Sherry was involved in a deadly accident in Southington. Sherry was off duty and travelling on I-84 when his car crossed three lanes and struck a pickup truck, resulting in the death of Elijah Joseph Vallier. He turned himself in on Feb. 15. Norwalk police said he was placed on administrative leave.

The full statement from Walsh:

“I write to you today amidst challenging circumstances that have undoubtedly affected our community and the Norwalk Police Department. The recent arrest of three of our officers has understandably raised concerns and shaken the trust that we have worked tirelessly to build within our community.

First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest reassurance to our community members: your safety and trust remain our top priorities. While recent events may cause uncertainty. I want to emphasize that these actions do not define our department as a whole. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and upholding the highest standards of integrity.

To our dedicated officers, I understand that recent events may have left many of you feeling disheartened and uncertain. Please know that you have my full support and that of the entire leadership team. The actions of a few individuals do not reflect the values and dedication that you bring to your roles each day. Thank you for your continued dedication, resilience, and commitment to serving and protecting our community.

As we move forward, I want to assure the community that we are committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation into these matters.”