Press Releases
09/15/2023
Law Enforcement Officials From Across the State Participate in 2023 John M. Bailey Seminar Hosted by the Division of Criminal Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Wallingford, CT) - The Division of Criminal Justice today hosted the 2023 John M. Bailey Seminar, an annual review of legal developments that impact police policies and practices in Connecticut.
Nearly 300 police officers and law enforcement officials registered for the one-day seminar led by Division of Criminal Justice prosecutors and staff. The seminar, held at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, also included presentations by Joseph Rainone, Assistant Director of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services, Sgt. Kyle Bombace of the Connecticut State Police Statewide Firearms Trafficking Task Force and Joseph DiTunno, Deputy Director of Family Services, Connecticut Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division.
“The annual John M. Bailey seminar is a way for police departments throughout the state to learn about updates on emerging areas of law that impact the work of all law enforcement officers here in Connecticut,” Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said. “We thank the many Chiefs who supported this year’s presentations and commend their efforts to understand and pass on these legal developments to the officers who serve the citizens of our cities and towns every day.”
In addition to a comprehensive look at case law and legislative updates, topics in this year’s seminar included legal developments regarding juvenile matters, electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders, Connecticut’s “Red Flag” law that allow family members and clinicians to ask for court intervention when a person is at immediate risk of causing harm to themselves or others and a refresher course on operating while under the influence laws in light of the recent legalization in Connecticut of marijuana for adults 21 and over.
“The Bailey seminar gives us a chance as senior administrators to discuss these important legal developments, how they’re going to impact our department and other agencies, and how we can best roll out these changes to our staff, especially our younger staff members who continue to learn about the law and develop new law enforcement skills every day,” Newtown Police Chief David Kullgren said.
Prosecutors and staff from the Division of Criminal Justice’s Appellate Bureau, Traffic Safety, Juvenile Matters and Special Litigation and Legislative Affairs Units led this year’s seminar discussions.
“Chief State’s Attorney Griffin told the officers in attendance today that the Division of Criminal Justice is committed to the continuing legal education of officers statewide,” Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa M. D’Angelo, the Division’s Director of the Office of Ethics and Professional Standards, said. “To that end, the Division is offering robust and comprehensive training on a regular basis to meet the challenges police officers face with continuing changes to laws that impact police policies and practices.”
Most recently, the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney held a comprehensive four-day detective training course for more than 100 police officers from 40 departments throughout the state that focused on the interdependence of prosecutors and police in investigating crimes and presenting evidence in court. The course, which ran from July 31 through August 4 at Yale University’s West Campus in Orange, examined law enforcement procedures, recently passed legislation regarding law enforcement and witness protection.
Naugatuck Police Department Chief C. Colin McAlister said the John M. Bailey seminar is a welcome day of education and instruction by prosecutors whose expertise and guidance law enforcement officers rely on as police reform remains a critical topic in Connecticut and across the nation.
“In the last several years, there has been a tremendous amount of police reform with the updating of legislation, revisions of previous statutes, including some statutes that haven’t been looked at in a long time,” Chief McAlister said. “So now, more than ever, it’s important that we come here and get the prosecutors’ input on this and learn how these changes are going to affect our operational and administrative matters.”
Today’s seminar is named in honor of John M. Bailey who retired as Chief State’s Attorney in November 2003 after serving a decade as Connecticut’s chief law enforcement officer. Mr. Bailey began his career as a prosecutor in 1975 and was appointed State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford-New Britain in 1979, serving there until his appointment as Chief State’s Attorney.
Throughout his tenure as Chief State’s Attorney, Mr. Bailey emphasized greater communication and cooperation among law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.