Police law is bad for public safety

On July 31, state leaders chose political expediency over public safety by signing to law harmful legislation known as the Police Accountability Act. It has been a few weeks since its passage, but the results are already clear – crime is rising, and our ranks are falling.

In New Haven alone, murders are up 50 percent, sexual assault 33 percent, robberies with firearms are up 85 percent, assault with firearm victims are up 66 percent and confirmed shots fired are up 50 percent (statistics from the New Haven Weekly Compstat Report for the last 28 days of August). These trends are not headed in the right direction. The increased crime rates have resulted in countless victims from our state’s cities and deteriorating public safety in surrounding communities.

The New Haven Police Union has made clear from the beginning that this legislation will discourage police officers from proactively addressing lawlessness. This threat is no doubt growing within the state’s 169 municipalities. The new law has also led to unprecedented premature retirements and made future recruitment nearly impossible. As an example, here in New Haven alone, 15 police officers have just retired with an additional seven giving their intent to retire by the end of the year. Three others have quit. In other cities the numbers are even higher.

The New Haven Police Union had zero input on this legislation. Elected officials have piled on new burdens and secondguessing for police officers, demonstrating a dangerous distraction that will place not only residents of New Haven but residents of our surrounding towns in harm’s way. The new law also gives conflicting directives without regard for community impact.

Now the lawlessness and lack of safety and security within our neighborhoods fall squarely on the shoulders of those elected officials at the state level who voted in favor of this bill. It is almost unthinkable in our current environment that we would deter police officers from addressing crime.

The New Haven Police Union believes that this law places residents and police officers in jeopardy, and we urge state leaders to act boldly and vote quickly to amend this harmful legislation in the upcoming special session. A loud minority should not be allowed to dictate over the silent majority.

If you feel as a Connecticut resident that your safety and security are at risk thanks to this so-called Police Accountability Act, let your voice be heard by calling your representative today and asking them to amend Public Act 20-1 in the upcoming special session.