HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Police officers rallied outside the Connecticut Capitol on Thursday to protest portions of a law enforcement accountability bill as legislators were scheduled to debate the proposal.
Hundreds of people gathered in Hartford, shouting, “Back the blue!” and holding American flags. Many also held signs, including ones saying “blue lives save other lives” and “blue lives matter.”
“We think this is an assault or an attack on law enforcement period. It’s a national trend,” said Andrew Matthews, executive director of the Connecticut State Police Union, which represents state troopers.
The state House of Representatives was set to meet in a special session Thursday to debate a wide-ranging police accountability bill that calls for reforming police practices and training in the wake of the police killings of George Floyd and other Black people.
About 50 or so Black Lives Matter protesters also gathered near the Capitol.
Police officers say they agree with many parts of the bill, but oppose certain provisions, including one limiting immunity for officers and allowing them to be personally sued in some circumstances for violating someone’s civil rights. They also oppose a section narrowing the circumstances in which deadly force can be used.
“I don’t think you’ll find any police officer here to say that they’re not willing to become better. There’s ways to be better,” Matthews told WTIC-TV. “But this is an overreach and we think it’s just gone way too far.”
Police officials believe the proposals would prompt many officers to resign or retire and discourage people from becoming police officers.
Supporters of the bill, including activists and community members, say Connecticut has had its own fair share of police shootings, problem officers and long-standing racial inequities that need to finally be addressed.
A group of health care workers also rallied outside the Capitol to demand better protections against the coronavirus.
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