The controversial police accountability bill was signed into law Friday by Gov. Lamont despite a Channel 3 poll that 92% of Connecticut residents were against it.
Saying that she values “our men and woman in blue” and is “so grateful for the work they do every day to protect us and their families,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz opened the bill signing ceremony. “We know that the vast majority of our police officers put the needs of their communities first,” she continued.
According to a Channel 3 poll, 92% of Connecticut residents were against the sweeping legislation, which was fast tracked by Governor Lamont and Democrats in the state House and state Senate.
The speed with which the bill was created and passed into law caught many by surprise. Opponents say that the law’s language is vague and unclear with too many gray areas, that it did not follow the standard legislative process and that it will put good police officers at risk. Proponents say it is needed to protect people from bad cops and that it was passed now, without the usual vetting process, because there was the political will to get it passed now in special session and there might not be later.
The Channel 3 poll, which was not a scientific one, garnered nearly 9,000 responses. It asked the question ‘Do you think Gov. Lamont should sign the police accountability bill?’ At the time the poll closed, 92 percent (8,175 votes) said he shouldn’t, voting ‘No.’ Seven percent (667 votes) of voters said ‘Yes,’ and 1 percent (68 votes) said ‘Undecided.’
