Now more than ever, the protection of ACLU is needed

The American Civil Liberties Union says it is “keeping up the drumbeat on advancing liberty, equality and justice for all in Connecticut” and now more than ever, the protection of the organization that fights to protect the rights of people is needed.

With many people questioning lack of accountability and transparency in government and state agencies, we hope that drumbeat continues to be strong and steady.

These are troubled times with an ever-shifting political landscape. A general mistrust of leadership — both on the local and national stage — have put people on edge with many concerned about policing issues, immigration and abortion and what appears to be the diminishing rights of some people.

During a recent editorial board meeting with the New Haven Register l, ACLU Executive Director David McGuire said the civil liberties organization would keep up the pressure on issues that are important to Nutmeggers. They include — but are not limited to — reforming the police complaint process, abolishing civil asset forfeiture and ending solitary confinement in the state’s prisons, which the state Department of Correction refers to as administrative segregation.

The number of inmates confined in solitary confinement has been reduced from 150 to about 40 — but many changes have come from “administrative directives” and the ACLU wants it “memorialized in state law” so they’re not reversed in the future.

Also on the agenda are improving the state’s stun gun safety law and encouraging use of camera-equipped stun guns , which have been used in connection with for 18 deaths since 2005, according to McGuire. An examination of police records indicate approximately 50 percent of the victims suffered from mental health issues.

A priority for the state ACLU is refining a 2014 law that required all police departments to establish written, anonymous complaint procedures, which are “recommended by all the national accrediting agencies” to allay fears of retaliation.

The form is supposed to be “made available online and at another location outside the police department,” but 40 departments are out of compliance. The ACLU suggests a standardized complaint form be used by every police agency in the state, “so we can understand whether there is a meaningful process” that accurately and fairly reports complaints against officers.

The ACLU has plenty of reason to give this their full attention.

According to the ACLU, Connecticut residents have lost confidence in the police’s ability to monitor themselves” on issues such as racial profiling and lawful searches and seizures, said McGuire, who noted this was the most consistent message Nutmeggers complained about this past year.

The ACLU says it wants to continue building on last year’s successes, which saw reforms to the criminal justice system, and will continue working to increase accountability and transparency in state and local agencies.

That is a good thing for Connecticut residents, who must be able to count on and believe in the people we put in offices and run our state agencies.

HELEN BENNETT - NEW HAVEN REGISTER David McGuire, executive director of ACLU-CT, with Communications Director Meghan Smith at left, speaks to the New Haven Register Editorial Board about the organization’s legislative priorities.