Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of June 19, 2017
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:41 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), Michael L. Regan (New London), David Shepack (Litchfield), and John C. Smriga (Fairfield).

Also present: 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 May 15, 2017, meeting. State’s Attorney Lawlor seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the status of the state budget and the state’s tentative agreement with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC). Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on major issues remaining in continuing contract negotiations between the Division and its employee unions.

The State’s Attorneys were asked to provide input on the possibility of establishing some form of compensatory time off system for employees.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto distributed updated caseload analyses for the Part A and Geographical Area (G.A.) courts. The State’s Attorneys are asked to review the material and report any discrepancies.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported the Division anticipates implementing electronic reporting of hours worked by the beginning of next year.

Wilfred Blanchette reported on the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane will draft proposed revisions to Division Policy 509, Guidelines for Investigation of the Use of Physical Force Pursuant to General Statutes Section 51-277a, and circulate the draft for review and discussion. The Chief State’s Attorney asked the Operations Committee to review the policy with specific attention to the role of the local State’s Attorney responding in the immediate aftermath of an incident of the use of force resulting in death.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors was held June 12, 2017, and was successful.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle alerted the State’s Attorneys to concerns raised by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) about safety risks associated with handling fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics. State’s Attorney McShane will share a memorandum he issued on the subject.

State’s Attorney Hardy reported a marked increase in applications for U-Visas submitted to her office by one attorney.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney McShane seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:49 p.m.