Justin Farmer and Daniel Dunn.
The following opinion essay was submitted by Justin Farmer, who formerly represented District 5 on the Hamden Legislative Council, and Daniel Dunn, a member of the Hamden Police Commission.
Mayor Garrett is morally obligated to make good on her promises as a candidate three years ago for police accountability and reform. In her testimony to the CT Judiciary Committee she wrote, “We need more ways to hold the police accountable, not less. Policing was started to round up runaway slaves. Centuries later, we haven’t come that far. Police departments continue to protect and serve capitalism and white supremacy while looting resources from our black and brown communities.”
We were saddened and disappointed to witness Mayor Garrett cite the hiring of 29 new officers as an achievement in public safety during her campaign. Several of these officers have troubling histories.
Among them was an officer previously found to have untruthfully reported facts related to “excessive and unnecessary” use of force by Bridgeport police officers. A sergeant involved in the matter later committed suicide following the completion of the internal affairs investigation. Our mayoral-appointed police commission initially rejected this candidate. However, the DTC Vice Chair and Police Commissioner inexplicably changed her vote to hire during a second interview. This is not the only officer to be hired during the mayor’s tenure with sustained records of misconduct.
Equally troubling is the history of criminality among supervisors who have been promoted, including purchasing steroids and allegedly brutally beating a college student.
Given these alarming facts, we should have an independent civilian public authority with regular oversight auditing and reviewing officer conduct. However, it was argued by the Garrett administration’s contracted legal counsel that the police commission is prohibited from even viewing civilian complaints.
When Stephanie Washington and Paul Witherspoon were shot in 2019, many promises were made. Folks all over Hamden took to the streets and protested, including Mayor Garrett. Five years later, what has been done to prevent another shooting, to hold officers accountable, or to reduce the risk of other police violence and civil rights violations?
There is direct evidence the answer is nothing. In fact, steps have been taken to undermine attempts at reform and oversight, including the unlawful destruction of internal affairs records.
Public safety is more than policing. It’s the act of community care and love for the public. We share these concerns because we don’t want another tragedy in our community, nor can we afford more settlements for preventable and dangerous behavior.
Garrett and her delegation must advocate for police commissions and civilian review boards to have meaningful, broad authority to review complaints and regularly audit the behavior of law enforcement.
Empty promises leave the public at risk and the people affected by these systematic failures deserve more than just words.
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