Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of July 22, 2013
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:40 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.

In attendance were: State’s Attorneys David I. Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk); Michael Dearington (New Haven); Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham); Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland); Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia-Milford); Peter A. McShane (Middlesex); Maureen Platt (Waterbury); Brian Preleski (New Britain); Michael L. Regan (New London); Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury); David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); and Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto.

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Michael A. Gailor, Chief Inspector James Hankard, Division of Criminal Justice Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis, and legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette.

State’s Attorney Froehlich made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2013, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Cohen and approved without opposition.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the 2013-14 budget approved by the General Assembly. Although the hiring freeze has been lifted, all hiring must be fully justified.

Wilfred Blanchette reported on the 2013 legislative session and the preliminary proposals the Division will recommend for the 2014 session.

Chief Inspector Hankard reported on courthouse security issues. The Judicial Branch will offer training on civilian response to shooting incidents. DCJ employees will be invited to participate in the training, which will also be offered at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. There was discussion of the role of Division personnel in responding to incidents at judicial facilities housing DCJ staff.

The revised protocol on investigations into the use of deadly force by peace officers was discussed. It was unanimously agreed that the draft policy will be amended to clarify instances where the State’s Attorney recuses him/herself from a particular investigation and the revised policy will then be signed by the Chief State’s Attorney.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on requests from the Office of the Victim Advocate concerning General Statutes section 51-277b. The Division has an existing policy on this matter, which will be incorporated into future police training.

State’s Attorney Shepack volunteered to participate in a July 30 meeting at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory on plans to reduce the backlog in testing. It was stressed that any plan to "outsource" testing must provide for follow-up court testimony regarding such tests.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the need to review whether a specific policy is required regarding issues raised in the Brady/Giglio/Adams cases. State’s Attorney Shepack and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle stated the Operations subcommittee will further review the matter.

State’s Attorney Froehlich reported on the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA):

• The National Criminal Justice Academy is being established at the Utah School of Law to replace the former National Advocacy Center. Since federal funding is limited, the NDAA goal is to secure private funding to support the new academy.<>< li="">
• Information on NDAA training materials from the NDAA summer conference will be distributed.
• Sate’s Attorney Froehlich is serving on a subcommittee to assess faculty for NDAA training.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane recommended the State’s Attorneys review whether to maintain 100 percent NDAA membership for Connecticut prosecutors at the December 2013 or January 2014 meeting.

State’s Attorney Froehlich reported that the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is participating in a National Science Foundation study of domestic violence and how it impacts children. State’s Attorneys may be contacted as part of the study.

State’s Attorney Smriga made a motion to adjourn the meeting. State’s Attorney Gedansky seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.