(Rocky Hill, CT) – A Norwich man has been arrested and charged with illegally collecting workers’ compensation benefits while being employed as a police officer at the Norwich Police Department.
Ryan Dunn, age 28, of Norwich, was arrested on August 25, 2026 by Inspectors from the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney on a warrant charging him with one count each of Larceny in the Second Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-123 (a)(3), and Fraudulent Claim or Receipt of Benefits in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 31-290c (a)(1).
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, in February 2026, Dunn reported suffering a knee injury while attempting to push his patrol vehicle out of the snow. Dunn was subsequently placed on Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) and began receiving TPD and benefits from the City of Norwich. TPD benefits are wage replacement monies for those who qualify under the program. During that period of benefits, the recipient is considered to have limited work capacity and must inform the employer of any improvements in their injuries. They also are required to report any income beyond the benefits provided. The investigation revealed that in March, while Dunn was out of work receiving TPD benefits, he received medical clearance from another doctor that he was physically capable, with no restrictions, to participate in a Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) physical agility exam. Dunn then performed, and passed, a physical agility exam as part of the hiring process for another police department while out of work collecting workers’ compensation benefits from the City of Norwich. This physical agility exam required Dunn to complete a 300-meter sprint, a 1.5 mile run and perform sit-ups and push-ups.
Dunn surrendered himself at the Rocky Hill Police Department. He was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. His next scheduled court date in Superior Court in Norwich, Geographical Area No. 21, is September 2, 2026.
The case will be prosecuted by the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.