Conn. legislature enacts anti-police violence bills

By Joelle Fishman

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - In response to rising protests against racist violence and racial bias by local police, the Connecticut State Legislature enacted two landmark bills signed by the governor last week. These actions reflect the rejection of racist police violence by the vast majority of people, and the power of united, multiracial grass-roots demands.

Connecticut joins North Carolina as the second state to prohibit police from "racial profiling," or stopping drivers based on race, color, sex or national origin. The law requires establishment of a process "for investigating complaints … and requiring disciplinary action when warranted."

In addition the state is now required to establish a uniform, state-wide policy on police pursuits, including training and education. Until now, the 169 Connecticut towns had no restrictions. The lethal result on Aug. 14, 1997 was a chase by East Haven police into New Haven where the white officers shot and killed an African American youth, Malik Jones. A suit has been filed by mother Emma Jones, who also founded the Malik organization and pushed for state legislation along with the NAACP and the Black and Latino Caucus.

The issue is sharp in Connecticut, where the majority of African American and Puerto Rican families live in the major cities. Some surrounding towns have notoriously racist zoning and hiring practices. For example the town of East Haven adjacent to New Haven and the town of Trumbull adjacent to Bridgeport have all white police forces despite large African American and Latino populations in their neighboring towns.

When Connecticut State Senator Alvin Penn of Bridgeport was driving through Trumbull several years ago, he was arbitrarily stopped by police. Aware that this happened to drivers of color on a regular basis, Penn brought the issue to the legislature. An internal police department memo on profiling made public last year sparked an FBI investigation.

Last week, in a landmark action, the town of Trumbull signed an agreement negotiated by the U.S. Department of Justice. Minority applicants in the current pool for police officers will be hired into the next four openings. In addition, the Trumbull Police Commission will be required to work with the Bridgeport Council of Churches to create a citizen complaint procedure. Police will be required to tell motorists what offense they are suspected of committing when they are pulled over. Hate crimes and diversity training will also be required for police.

The issue of police brutality is not confined to suburban towns. In Hartford, struggles over many years resulted in a Civilian Review Board.

However, after 14-year old Aquan Salmon was killed by a police bullet in his back as he fled, the demand was raised to remove those members of the review board who consistently side with the police. In the wake of daily vigils at the police department, the chief resigned for "medical reasons."