Seize moment to upgrade accountability

We are conditioned to pay attention when we hear police sirens, a signal of danger in the vicinity. We must not ignore the wailing we now hear just because George Floyd died 1,200 miles away, or with the reasoning that Connecticut’s protests have been poised in comparison with pockets of the nation that burn.

The sirens have been blaring in the distance, and nearby, for a long time. The fuse may have finally ignited a national explosion because of outrage that a white office held his knee to the neck of Floyd, a black man, for nearly nine minutes.

In January, it took less than two seconds for Mubarak Soulemane to be shot seven times in West Haven by a state trooper while Soulemane sat in his car.

That incident remains under investigation, but could have inspired a valuable discourse over police response, race relations and oversight of law enforcement.

It’s reasonable that officials hedge from opining on an active investigation. But it’s neglect to ignore the siren’s call.

State Sen. Gary Winfield, of West Haven and New Haven, never stopped listening. A native of the

Bronx, N.Y., he helped shepherd legislation last year — before Soulemane died in one of his cities — to make probes into use of force more transparent and launch a task force to enhance accountability.

In the wake of Floyd’s death, Winfield is trying to elevate the conversation during this summer’s legislative special session. A revival is necessary because the task force has met only once.

“I’m looking at what we can do during the special session. My intent is to make sure the state is looking at it,” said Winfield, who co-chairs the Judiciary Committee.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s response to Winfield’s proposal during a Tuesday briefing was strikingly tone deaf.

“It’s just too vague. I don’t know what ‘police reform legislation’ means,” said Lamont, who challenged whether the issue should be part of the special session.

It means a deeper look into whether steps could have prevented any of the deadly shootings by police in Connecticut. It means creating independent bodies to determine whether excessive force has been used.

The task force’s second meeting on Monday, June 8, will surely take on a different tone as a result of the recent protests and riots. It should be recognized as a window of opportunity.

David McGuire, executive director of the Connecticut American Civil Liberties Union, said initiatives have stalled in the past because of pressure from police chiefs and unions resisting change. Just consider how many municipal departments and unions spent years refining conditions for wearing body cameras.

In recent days, some police leaders across the state and nation sound like agents of change. It is a marked contrast from peers who acted like lobbyists and drew accusations of intimidation by some lawmakers.

We know there are many good cops out there. The best among them could help lead this call for reform. They, and Lamont, need to respond to this siren.

It means a deeper look into whether steps could have prevented any of the deadly shootings by police in Connecticut.