HARTFORD — House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford), joined by State Rep. Greg Howard (R-Stonington) and State Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland), released the following statement Monday condemning the state Inspector General's decision to investigate actions taken by two Connecticut State Troopers during the apprehension of suspects who fled from law enforcement during a traffic stop in November 2025:

 "Investigating a state trooper's use of a PIT maneuver as 'deadly force' when no one was killed or even injured is a gross expansion of the Inspector General's power and an incredibly broad application of that designation. As a result, two troopers are suspended—their careers and lives upended for no reason other than to appease a Governor and Democratic legislature that have created an untenable environment for law enforcement.

 The facts are straightforward. A trooper spotted a driver speeding erratically with mismatched plates and suspected intoxication. The driver fled, leading the trooper on a high-speed chase through a construction zone. The trooper followed proper protocol by requesting and receiving supervisor authorization to perform a pursuit intervention maneuver to end the chase. When stopped, the driver and passenger were charged with motor vehicle and narcotics offenses. An internal review by state police is all this case warranted.

 Instead, these troopers must grapple with the mental stress of an Inspector General investigation. That's Connecticut—where officers face suspension instead of support for making split-second or deliberate decisions to resolve dangerous situations, their careers in jeopardy simply for doing their jobs. This is why our state and municipalities face critical police shortages, and why those vacancies will only grow.

 Our law enforcement officers deserve better. We call on our Democratic colleagues in the legislature who regularly profess their support for police to join us in condemning this unnecessary and harmful inquiry by the Inspector General."

 Rep. Howard is a police officer and House Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee. Rep. Nuccio is House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and mother of a Connecticut State Trooper.