Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice

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Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of August 28, 2017
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:34 p.m.

In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Anne F. Mahoney (Windham), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro (Middlesex).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor; Legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette, Jr., and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 17, 2017, meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the latest information is that the General Assembly will reconvene September 11, 2017, to consider a budget. Funding levels to the Division under the current Executive Order are approximately $2.5 million less than the annualized funding in previous budget proposals. Vacancies will be filled on a critical needs basis only.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court in State v. Skipwith, 326 Conn. 512 (2017). The process for notification of victims is addressed in the Prosecutor’s Deskbook. The State’s Attorneys are urged to review the decision and discuss the issues it raised with their staffs.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported that the Judicial Branch is considering changes to the storage of certified records and will notify the Division before any change is made.

Legislative liaison Blanchette reported that the Division is in contact with legislators to address concerns regarding the continuing thefts of motor vehicles by juveniles and the resulting threat to the safety of the juveniles and others.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the implementation of pilot programs in Waterbury and Bridgeport for early screening and intervention of cases.

State’s Attorney Smirga reported on the Training Committee:

  • The ethics training video produced by State’s Attorney Preleski should be available to all employees after January 1, 2018.

  • The committee will conduct a Survey Monkey survey of prosecutors to solicit input on training topics.

  • In-house training presentations will be recorded to make the programs available to a wider audience.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Management Committee is scheduled to meet the week of September 4, 2017.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle asked the State’s Attorneys to review Division Policy 509, Guidelines for Investigation of the Use of Physical Force Pursuant to General Statutes Section 51-277a, and to share any suggestions with him prior to the next meeting.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gailor will distribute to the State’s Attorneys a memorandum written by State’s Attorney Preleski concerning field-testing of suspected narcotic substances.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.