Ex-officer wants his job back
The former Windsor Locks police officer facing manslaughter charges in the death of a teenager last October has filed a grievance against the town seeking to get his job back, as well as at least $50,000 in back pay.
Michael Koistinen appeared before the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration on Sept. 6 to argue that the Windsor Locks Police Commission illegally fired him last December, even though he had been arrested in connection with the death of 15-year-old Henry Dang.
State police charged Michael Koistinen, 26, with first-degree manslaughter after investigators determined he had been drinking alcohol for several hours before driving the car that struck and killed Henry shortly before midnight on Oct. 29 as Henry rode his bicycle home from a friend's house.
State police also eventually arrested Sgt. Robert Koistinen, Michael's father, on obstruction of justice charges. They allege that Robert Koistinen removed his son from the crash scene and helped prevent authorities from administering a blood-alcohol test.