Middletown police officer applies for alcohol education program after DUI charge

Middletown Police Officer Francesca Quaranta in her Newington home in this 2013 file photo. Middletown Police Officer Francesca Quaranta in her Newington home in this 2013 file photo. Photo: Catherine Avalone — The Middletown Press Photo: Catherine Avalone — The Middletown Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Middletown police officer applies for alcohol education program after DUI charge 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

MIDDLETOWN >> A city police officer Tuesday applied for an alcohol education program in Middletown Superior Court after facing a drunken driving arrest in December.

Francesca Quaranta, 46, of Newington, said in court while she submitted her application that she has never been convicted of driving under the influence or used the education program before.

Quaranta was arrested on Christmas Eve by state police at Troop K and was also charged with failure to drive right. She was released from police custody for after posting a $500 bond.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew said what happens to a city officer after being arrested for driving under the influence depends on the situation and severity.

“If it’s not so significant, an officer is allowed to do desk work within the department while the investigation is conducted,” Drew said. “It depends on the nature of the case. If it’s significant, the officer is placed on paid administrative leave.”

In this case, Quaranta has been on administrative leave since Aug. 25, 2013. She filed a complaint against the police department with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities in October 2013. The complaint stated that Quaranta experienced discrimination at the department because of her wigs and earrings.

An investigation against Middletown Police Chief William McKenna is also ongoing after Quaranta and two other officer accused McKenna of soliciting narcotics years ago.

Quaranta and her attorney, Atiya Sample, declined to comment on the DUI charges Tuesday.