Champagne Supporting Delay Of Police Law Implementation

VERNON, CT — State Sen. Daniel Champagne said Monday that postponing the implementation of a new state law on the use of police force is a good move.

Champagne is a former decorated police officer in Vernon and the town's current mayor.

Champagne (R-Vernon), is a member of the legislature's Judiciary Committee. The law was scheduled to take effect April 1.

The committee voted to change "key wording" and put off the law by eight months to allow time for "adequate training" for officers across the state.

The proposal will now make its way to the House and Senate. The original law was part of the legislature's police accountability bill signed into law last summer by Gov. Ned Lamont and Champagne raised several concerns on the bill at the time.

"The way this bill was written last summer, without the input of law enforcement officials, resulted in confusion on what is and is not acceptable police conduct, particularly related to the use of force. Police officers must make split-second decisions where the consequence is life or death," Champagne said.

He continued, "Today, we unanimously voted to make several key changes in wording to this past summer's police accountability bill that will allow officers to protect themselves in the line of duty. Postponing the effective date of the law enables police departments across the state to properly train thousands of officers on these new standards. This is not a partisan issue as we must enable police officers to protect themselves in the line of duty. Although I believe that this new legislation does not completely fix the flaws in the original bill, it does give officers better protections and is better than what was passed last summer.

"We were able to make these common sense changes by working with police chiefs from across the state and getting their input. Thanks to all chiefs across the 35th District and the state for speaking out and providing their expertise; it’s vital that we continue to listen to the men and women of law enforcement that keep us safe. I encourage them, and the public, to continue the conversation and remain involved as we look to make additional necessary changes in the Judiciary and Public Safety and Security Committees."

Champagne represents Connecticut’s 35th Senatorial District that includes the towns of Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Pomfret, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington and Woodstock.