Police union backs Fiorello
Greenwich Silver Shield Association makes its first-ever endorsement
“We trust that Kimberly will not falter in representing us, unlike the many elected officials who have.” Greenwich Silver Shield Association
GREENWICH — For the first time ever, the town’s police union has jumped into election season and endorsed a candidate.
The Silver Shield Association cited the law enforcement accountability act, which was recently passed by the state legislature, as the reason for its endorsement of Republican candidate Kimberly Fiorello in the race for the 149th
House District.
A vocal opponent of the bill, Fiorello spoke out against it in several op-eds and videos on social media, which the union cited it in its endorsement this week.
“We trust that Kimberly will not falter in representing us, unlike the many elected officials who have,” the union said. “Out of all of our local state legislators, including those challengers running for office, Kimberly was and is the only person who asked us for our opinions before the bill was voted on. When the bill became law, once again, Kimberly was and is the only person taking their time by talking to us and others in the law enforce
ment community on effective strategies to correct this horrible bill.”
Fiorello said she was proud to receive the police union’s endorsement.
“I’m truly humbled that Silver Shield would entrust this historical endorsement in me and my campaign,” she said. “They have my word that I will represent them with the equal respect and integrity all constituents deserve. I’m thankful that the officers of the Greenwich Police Department always have our back, and now it’s our turn to have theirs.”
Lt. Louis Pannone, union president, confirmed the endorsement was the association’s first since it was founded in 1958.
“We did not take this step lightly, as we have always preferred not to weigh in on political matters but rather concentrate our efforts to serve best the many partnerships, organizations, youth and folks of our wonderful town,” the union said in its announcement.
Union vote
The union board approved the endorsement in a 9-3 vote. As president, Pannone did not vote but said he would have voted yes if it had been a tie. The board includes eight representatives selected by the nearly 150 active members of the union.
A member of the Representative Town Meeting, Fiorello is seeking to succeed the retiring state Rep. Livvy Floren in the 149th District, which includes backcountry Greenwich and part of North Stamford. Democratic candidate Kathleen Stowe, vice chair of the Board of Education, is also running for the open seat.
It is “disappointing to see the police union taking this unusual step into the political arena, particularly at this sensitive moment,” Stowe said.
“The more important issue here, however, is that we cannot make this dialogue into a police versus community narrative. The police force is asked to protect and serve the community. We should be working together toward a common goal, enhancing the safety and well-being of all of our citizens,” she said. “I know many current and retired officers and in my time on the school board I have worked with the police leadership and I know they share these goals.”
Pannone said the union did not approach Stowe before the endorsement, nor did she approach them.
“We did not want to come across like we’re soliciting candidates at all,” he said. “Then we’re getting involved, and we don’t want to get involved in this.”
Signed into law
The state House and Senate passed the law enforcement accountability bill during a July special session before Gov. Ned Lamont signed it into law. It mandates use of police body and dashboard cameras, creates an inspector general’s office to investigate complaints of police misconduct, bans choke-holds in most circumstances and requires officers to intervene if they witness brutality.
A controversial part of the law limits qualified immunity for police officers, which could make it easier to pursue litigation against individual officers.
“To us, the bill was rushed through the state House and Senate with no input from police officers, police chiefs, unions and other stakeholders who are directly impacted by this knee-jerk reaction to an out-of-control national anti-police climate,” the union said.
“We can no longer stay silent when politicians threaten the integrity of our profession and place unnecessary risk and harm to all police officers. Make no doubt about this; these changes are life-altering not just to the police officers, but to the communities we serve.”
Of Greenwich’s legislators, Sen. Alex Kasser, D-36, and Rep. Stephen Meskers, D-150, voted in favor of the bill, while State Rep. Harry Arora, R-151, voted against it. Floren was unable to attend the special session due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said she would have voted no on the bill.
When asked about other endorsements, Pannone said, “we’ll see.” He noted that Fiorello was the only candidate who had reached out to the union.
“The others who voted on it one way or the other did not seek our input either prior or after the bill,” he said. “Kimberly came to us before the bill was voted on and we liked what she said. She said she has our backs and supports us and that’s what we’re looking for. No one else offered us those assurances whatsoever.”
‘Entirely politically neutral’
Pannone acknowledged there “absolutely” was some concern about the union getting involved in a political race.
“This is a very serious step to go out on this limb, but we don’t have any other choices to see change,” he said. “We are neutral in our work but this was a point where we had to take actions that were available to us.”
Chief of Police James Heavey said officers can be active members of political parties as private citizens as long as it does not affect their duties.
“The decision to endorse a candidate was solely the choice of the Silver Shield Association, which is a labor union whose members are Greenwich police officers up to the rank of lieutenant,” Heavey said. “The Office of the Chief of Police, and his administration, were not involved in the matter. The Greenwich Police Department will remain entirely politically neutral in their approach to elections.”
First Selectman Fred Camillo, whose duties include police commissioner, said he felt the union had acted within its rights.
“I support their right to do it,” said Camillo, a Republican who also backs Fiorello.
Stowe noted that at a Black Lives Matter protest earlier this summer outside police headquarters, Heavey and members of the GPD command staff communicated with protesters and took a knee in solidarity.
“It was a great sight to see Chief Heavey and some of his officers kneeling with protesters on Greenwich Avenue earlier this year,” she said. “I particularly appreciated that because I’ve always sought to recognize all sides of an issue and look for common ground. I would prefer that our local union follow that example of embracing the community so we can work together to make progress on these important issues.”