Rep. Fishbein Opposes Anti-Police Bill

State Representative Craig Fishbein (R-90) today stood in strong opposition to a bill that would limit the ability of police to do their jobs effectively, creates an unfunded mandate that body cameras be used in certain municipalities, and effectively handcuffs law enforcement from protecting the public.

HB 6663 – An Act Concerning Police Misconduct – would expand current law to require the Division of Criminal Justice to investigate any incident where an officer uses physical force, whether or not such force resulted in death, establishes a deadline of five days for police to file preliminary reports on use of force incidents, requires municipalities with a population greater than 75,000 to issue body cameras to their police force without consideration for the cost to the municipality and restricts police from discharging their firearm at a vehicle except in specific, narrow circumstances.

“This legislation presumes lawmakers in Hartford know more than the police officer on the scene of an emergency and will put our first responders at risk,” Rep. Fishbein said. “Restricting police officers from being able to use their training and discretion limits their ability to do the job effectively and safely, and creates potentially dangerous situations that are entirely avoidable.”

Police officers from across the state voiced concern with the legislation.

“Additionally, mandating local municipalities to purchase, maintain, monitor and store video footage from police-worn body cameras without considering the costs, or providing even partial relief for the expense, is another tax being passed off in the name of safety at a time when few towns or cities can shoulder the expense,” Rep. Fishbein said. “Body cameras have been used properly and effectively in Connecticut, but it’s misguided to force their use on only certain cities or large towns based solely on their population.”

After more than an hour of debate in the House of Representatives, the bill was “passed temporarily,” meaning it was withdrawn from debate but can be called again before the legislative session adjourns at midnight on Wednesday. Used as a legislative maneuver to allow members to go on the record in support of specific legislation that may not pass by vote, bills are sometimes called for a specific period of time before being passed temporarily.