City Council on Monday approved a 10-day suspension for cop Christopher
Cortazzo for several offenses, but rejected the 20-day suspension recommended
by Police Chief William M. Heim. Among Cortazzo's offenses was driving a patrol
car at high speed when there was no emergency - he was training a rookie at the
time, conduct unbecoming an officer and prejudice. The latter was for ethnic
and gender slurs Cortazzo allegedly used during roll calls, according to
officials. Council eliminated charges of threatening behavior and disobeying an
order and decided the 20-day suspension was excessive since there was no
evidence of repeat violations.