Detectives investigating the deaths of Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Rawls suspended

Two detectives investigating the deaths of Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Rawls were suspended, the mayor’s office said in a statement.

Two detectives suspended

Their suspension comes after criticism from both families who say police mishandled Smith-Fields and Rawls death investigation.

“I want you to know that I am extremely disappointed with the leadership of the Bridgeport Police Department and find actions taken up to this point unacceptable,” Mayor Joseph Ganim said. He added that the two officers were the subject of an internal investigation “for lack of sensitivity to the public and failure to follow police policy” on the two cases.

He said the detectives have been put on leave until the investigation into their actions and the disciplinary case were completed.

“The Bridgeport Police Department has high standards for officer sensitivity especially in matters involving the death of a family member. It is an unacceptable failure if policies were not followed,” Ganim said.

Lauren Smith-Fields death

23-year-old Smith-Fields was found deceased in her apartment on December 12 after a Bumble date with a person her family described as an “older white man.” The man, identified as Matthew LaFountain, called the police to Smith-Fields’ apartment. LaFountain has not been charged and is not a person of interest in her death. Her family told multiple outlets that police said he “was a nice guy.”

The family has criticized the police as being dismissive and “racially” insensitive. Bridgeport Police announced last Tuesday that it was launching a criminal investigation into Smith-Fields’ death after the medical examiner ruled it an accident and said she died because of “an overdose of fentanyl combined with prescription medication and alcohol.”

Smith-Fields’ family said she ‘didn’t do drugs,’ and the attorney representing the family, Darnell Crosland, said that a thorough-enough investigation wasn’t conducted to know for sure whether someone else drugged her.

Brenda Rawls

53-year-old Brenda Rawls died on the same day as Smith-Fields.

Her family told NBC News the police didn’t contact them about her death, and that they had to find out on their own two days later. They told the outlet that Rawls was going to a man’s house the day before she died.

Rawls family sent letters to Bridgeport police detailing their frustrations over the department’s lackadaisical investigation.

Smith-Fields family said they intend to sue and has hired an outside investigator.