Union Blog

Every day, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. Their sacrifices often go unnoticed and unappreciated despite their heroic efforts to keep us all safe.

As we continue to grieve the loss of Officer Kubel, we are honored to support a fundraiser organized by the Shelton Police Department.

This story was published by the Hartford Courant on June 21, 2024 and can be found on their website

LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS DINNER

November 8, 2023
6:00 p.m. Appetizers|
7:00 p.m. Dinner

The Law Enforcement Award’s Dinner is an opportunity for Law Enforcement Officers to recognize the life threatening situations these Officers have survived with honor. The Dinner will recognize the support given to officers by their families and will further honor the spouses of our fallen brothers and sisters.

Council 4 members and the political staff accomplished a lot during the Connecticut General Assembly's most recent legislative session, which ended June 7. Members submitted ideas that were submitted as bills to try and improve officer working conditions. Council 4 officers testified and submitted testimony in favor of and against bills. We were also able to shift the conversation to show the importance and benefit of officers. This is an update on some of the most significant bills.

AFSCME Council 4 Statement on Bristol Fallen Officers

"We’re devastated by the deaths of Bristol police officers Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Ofc. Alex Hamzy who were killed in the line of duty," Jody Barr, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Director said. 

"This shocking news reminds us all of the commitment police officers make every day to serve and protect their communities despite the imminent dangers they face on the job. 

Middletown Police Officer Matt Silvestrini, member of #AFSCME Lo

On Sept. 20, 2021, Officer James O’Donnell was gravely injured after a suspect intentionally assaulted him with a motor vehicle. 

Officer O'Donnell suffered devasting, crushing pelvic injuries. He faces long road to full recovery, which is expected to be a year or more, and will be away from his wife, two-year old son, and 6 month old daughter for some time,

Nearly 8 months after the attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, it’s important to remember what police officers endured while defending our democracy.

One of them was attacked with a flagpole and sprayed with a chemical.

Another heard someone say, “Kill him with his own gun,” before he was dragged into the crowd, beaten unconscious and repeatedly shocked with his own Taser.

A third was verbally pelted with racial slurs over and over before he was assaulted.

A fourth was crushed in a door, bashed in the head, and nearly lost an eye. 

It will take some time and examination to determine exactly how the new laws that the state legislature passed will impact police officers. The State Capitol still remains closed based on COVID-19, which adds to the difficulty in getting accurate and timely information. But a quick synopsis can be of use. This is a summation of legislative actions that you might want to know about:

The legislature passed an extension of the start date of the new deadly force standard.  It goes into effect on January 1, 2022.

Organized labor’s determination to help essential workers who were made sick on the job by COVID-19 has led to the creation of the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund.

During the budget implementer session in mid-June, state legislators finalized the inclusion of $34 million to establish this fund to assist potentially thousands of essential workers who contracted the novel coronavirus on the job through no fault of their own.