Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of June 15, 2015
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The meeting was called to order at 12:49 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane.

In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John Russotto; State’s Attorneys David Cohen (Stamford-Norwalk), Patricia M. Froehlich (Windham), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John Smriga (Fairfield) and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John Waddock (New Haven).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Michael A. Gailor, legislative liaison Wilfred Blanchette and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guest Chief Thomas E. Flaherty, Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Police Academy Administrator, for a presentation on the Connecticut Police Academy and issues related to the training of police officers. The State’s Attorneys are invited to share concerns and ideas with POST; DCJ staff are invited to take advantage of POST in-service training offerings.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Sedensky and passed unanimously.

Wilfred Blanchette reported on the 2015 Regular Session of the General Assembly and the pending Special Session. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on legislation involving "ex parte" orders, which did not pass in the Regular Session. Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported the passage of H.B. No. 6750, An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Arrest Records During a Pending Prosecution Under the Freedom of Information Act.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane asked the State’s Attorneys for input on the appointment of members to task forces pursuant to S.B. No. 303, An Act Establishing a Task Force to Study the State-wide Response to Family Violence, S.B. No. 312, An Act Concerning Particularly Vulnerable Children, and S.B. No. 1105, An Act Concerning Revisions to the Criminal Justice Statutes, and Concerning the Psychiatric Security Review Board, Domestic Violence, Condominium Associations and Depositions of Persons Living Out-of-State.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported on the need to review the Division’s 2013 protocol regarding investigations into the use of deadly force by peace officers. State’s Attorney Hardy reported on concerns that arose related to an officer-involved shooting in Hartford. Representatives of the Connecticut State Police will be invited to meet with the State’s Attorneys to discuss policies related to these investigations.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle reported on ongoing discussions with the Board of Pardons and Paroles concerning the notification to State’s Attorneys of parole hearings.

The policy on the role of Inspectors regarding an active shooter incident was adopted without opposition. A suggested letter was distributed that would be sent to the police department in the community where a Division office is located and to the appropriate State Police troop as applicable.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the budget adopted during the Regular Session of the General Assembly restored 18 of the 30 positions recommended to be cut in the Governor’s proposed budget. In light of the fact the General Assembly remains in Special Session on the budget the Division will maintain its freeze on hiring until at least July 1, 2015.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.