July 30, 2020
Dear AFSCME Police Union Presidents:
Unfortunately, the police accountability bill (HB 6004) passed both chambers of the Connecticut legislature. Governor Lamont is expected to sign it into law on July 31.
(Click here for Council 4's analysis of HB 6004.)
Fighting this bill has been a difficult and challenging process. We have worked through our lobbyists, attorneys, and other police unions to challenge those pieces of the legislation that we believe will most negatively affect police officers.
So where do we go from here?
Council 4, along with other unions and CACP, are working together to attack this bill on constitutional grounds that we believe conflict with federal law, including:
- Qualified Immunity
- New Use of Force Standard
- Creation of Office of Inspector General
- Consent Search
Additionally, we are looking at the harmful impact this bill will have on state and municipal budgets already strained by COVID-19. We are working to enlist the assistance of towns and cities in making the argument that HB 6004 is prohibitively expensive.
Council 4 will be demanding that the cities and towns bargain the impact imposed on our members by the passage of HB-6004.
The state legislature may reconvene for a special session right after Labor Day. If that happens, our union will seek to make improvements in the law, focusing on areas like qualified immunity (municipalities share our concerns over this issue) and the shooting standard. For behavioral health issues we will seek a rebuttable Workers’ Compensation presumption.
On a positive note, our efforts ensured that the bill did not strip away pensions or equivalent retirement benefits. Additionally, we were successful in removing the study of road jobs for police officers.
We will continue to keep you apprised of any developments on this matter.
Please continue to contact your local and state politicians regarding your specific issues with the bill, and ask your family and friends to do the same. Your emails and calls do make a difference.
Council 4 is proud of the work you do to serve and protect the public. Fixing this flawed bill will not happen overnight, however, we will not be discouraged or deterred.
I will continue to keep you updated. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
Stay safe,
Troy Raccuia, Director of Collective Bargaining
Click here for more on HB 6004/Public Act 20-1
