"Preferential Treatment" for Agawam cop

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - A 22News I-Team investigation reveals allegations by a District Attorney that Agawam police gave special treatment to another police officer.
 
22News I-Team Reporter Ryan Walsh uncovers new details involving a now former Agawam Police Officer.

Now former officer Danielle Petrangelo accidentally shot a pregnant woman on-duty in May, but the DA cleared her of criminal wrongdoing in that case.

Agawam police told 22News she was involved in another incident off-duty, six weeks later.

An Agawam police internal report revealed Petrangelo was pulled over for suspicion of operating under the influence and driving the wrong way down Route 5 in West Springfield. The report alleges she likely struck a guard rail judging by her car's damage.   
 
Lt. Richard Light told 22News West Springfield cops pulled her over and called the Agawam Police.

The Agawam shift supervisor went there and Petrangelo was not given a ticket.

In a letter sent to then Acting Agawam Police Chief Light --- Hampden County District Attorney Mark Mastrioanni stated that "a reasonable conclusion from these circumstances suggests Officer Petrangelo received preferential treatment from the Agawam Police Department based on her status as a police officer."  But in the letter, he said that he could not press charges since she was not ticketed that day.   
 
Lt. Richard Light, who was the acting police chief at the time told the 22News I-Team, he found out about the incident the next day.
 
"When I was made aware of it.  I initiated an internal investigation into the matter.  At the conclusion of the IA (Internal Affairs Investigation), I made some recommendations for disciplinary actions."

Lt. Light told 22News Petrangelo was in "crisis" after the accidental shooting and was disciplined for the off duty driving incident.

After the DA's criminal investigation into the May 5th shooting was completed, the Agawam police had their own investigation into the shooting and Lt. Light told 22News Petrangelo was fired because she didn't follow Department Rules and Regulations during the shooting, not because of the alleged drunk driving incident.