(HARTFORD, CT) -- DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins told fellow members of the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project Advisory Board this week that an investigation into the collection of racial profiling data by the Connecticut State Police is nearing completion.
“After my arrival at DESPP last year, I insisted on a very thorough and complete investigation,’’ Higgins said. “The in-depth investigation by the Connecticut State Police into compliance with mandated reporting under the Alvin Penn Law -- which complements the work done by Attorney Deirdre Daly and her colleagues at Finn Dixon & Herling as well as the original audit report by the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project – is now completed and undergoing administrative review.’’
“CSP investigators looked at a total of 16 sworn members -- 13 troopers and 3 constables," Higgins said. “Six troopers and one constable were referred by the Daly report for internal affairs investigations. Another seven troopers and two constables were referred through our internal review.”
The internal affairs investigation into the six troopers referred by Daly is wrapping up and those cases will be referred for disciplinary action if the allegations are sustained. The administrative inquiry into the seven remaining troopers and two constables is continuing.
An audit by the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project released in June of 2023 identified significant problems with racial profiling data collected by troopers during motor vehicle stops. An independent investigation led by Daly, a former U.S. Attorney, concluded that CSP engaged in “deficient data entry practices, rather than intentional falsification of traffic stop data” earlier this year.
“From the start, we have treated this issue as a top priority. Continued collaboration with the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project remains our focus,’’ Higgins said.
Former Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle continues to serve as compliance consultant to supervise and assist the CSP in implementation of the Daly report’s recommendations.
Higgins said his front office staff now includes an experienced data scientist who is already at work analyzing racial reporting and other public safety data.
“The seven recommendations from the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project audit have been thoroughly considered and many already put into practice,’’ Higgins said. “This includes improved and expanded training for troopers on racial profiling records, expanded supervision and review of racial profiling data and records submitted by troopers, compulsory use of e-ticket technology, improvements to the CSP NexGen system including the inclusion of ticket numbers for all infractions, and numerous additional actions, procedures, and safeguards.”