Protesters demand change: What could that look like in Connecticut?
Protesters at Norwalk Police Headquarters were demanding change over the weekend following the death of George Floyd, and the head of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association says they were listening.
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Jun 2, 2020, 9:39 PM
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Updated 1,636 days ago
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1,554ds agoProtesters at Norwalk Police Headquarters were demanding change over the weekend following the death of George Floyd, and the head of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association says they were listening.
"It hits you just on such a deep level,” says Milford Police Chief Keith Mello. “Those peaceful protests, they've had an impact and they've gotten everyone's attention."
Connecticut has already made some changes in the wake of a Hamden police officer who fired 13 rounds at an unarmed passenger whose hands were up.
State lawmakers passed sweeping new rules that banned officers from shooting at a fleeing car, installed an outside prosecutor to decide if an officer is to be charged, and dash cam video must be released within four days of an incident.
Also, police academy cadets meet those who've been abused by police officers.
Melvin Medina with the ACLU says it's not enough. Some Connecticut departments still don't have body cameras, and critics want "excessive force" to be redefined.
"The problem with Connecticut's statute is that it only takes a snapshot of when that officer either shot someone or used excessive force,” Medina told News 12.
Only two police officers in the state of Connecticut have been criminally charged for firing their weapon in the past two decades.
When an officer is accused, police chiefs say they're open to an independent board reviewing the case.
"The only concern would be, what is the makeup?” asked Mello. “And to make sure that we have reasonable people, intelligent people, that can apply the law.”
Both sides agree, the protests must go beyond the streets.
"I do hope that the marches go from the highway to the Capitol and that they flood the Capitol during the legislative session,” said Medina.
Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday that he's open to some of the ACLU's ideas, but he wants more details first.
State lawmakers may head back to Hartford later this month to address the COVID-19 crisis.
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