Hartford oversight advocates press council to adopt CPRB ordinance changes as police union warns of charter, budget risks

Councilman Josh Michtom opened a public hearing on proposed changes to Hartford's Civilian Police Review Board ordinance and invited five-minute statements from residents, advocacy groups and agency officials.

James Rakowski, president of the Hartford Police Union, told the council he opposed key parts of the draft ordinance, saying it "reclassifies" the inspector general's staff so the inspector general "can hire them, only he can fire them" and that the change would remove executive oversight. "He wrote the ordinance the way he did to protect his job and to secure money for himself," Rakowski said, and he urged the council to produce a cost analysis before acting.

Inspector General Joe Lopez, who introduced himself as the city's CPRB inspector general, defended the amendments as necessary to make the board functional. "I'm here to call balls and strikes," Lopez told the council, describing the inspector general's role in conducting independent reviews and presenting findings to the board. Lopez said the office lacks reliable access to funds and equipment: "I can't buy software that I need ... I simply want money to be able to continue training for the CPRB and to continue our professional education." He requested that council-earmarked funds for CPRB be reserved for that office rather than routed through the executive.

Assistant Inspector General Jacqueline "Jackie" Manning gave specific examples of discovery problems: the police department, she said, had delayed or redacted evidence even after complainants provided signed releases. "The police department still will not produce the evidence even in the face of a signed, notarized release," Manning said, and added that forcing CPRB to use FOI portals is "absolutely unworkable."

Advocates, clergy and legal experts also urged passage. Andrea Hartman, acting chair of the CPRB, said the board had eliminated a case backlog but still faces structural barriers and needs clearer authority over evidence, interviews and budget access. "We need a firm commitment from the chief that ... he will not make a final determination until CPRB's findings can also be considered," Hartman said. Timothy Fisher, a CPRB member, framed oversight as a risk-management tool: he cited settlements in nearby cities as a reason for stronger transparency, calling the board "the most convenient and most inexpensive insurance policy" against large taxpayer liability.

National and local advocates amplified those points. Cassie Apostle of Campaign Zero recommended three elements for an effective civilian board: "unrestricted and unredacted direct access to all evidence," a requirement that the chief consider CPRB findings before making final determinations, and an independent arbitration process when the board and department disagree.

Supporters repeatedly called for (1) written protections to ensure that funds earmarked for CPRB are available to the inspector general's office; (2) clear discovery rules so internal affairs cannot delay or over-redact material; and (3) binding or independent arbitration to resolve disputes when the chief and CPRB diverge. Opponents focused on potential charter or budget conflicts and asked for more financial detail before council action.

The hearing included more than two dozen public speakers who described personal experiences or professional reasons to strengthen civilian oversight; several asked the council to ban certain surveillance cameras and to inquire into recent uses of police vehicles at demonstrations. Council members asked clarifying questions of witnesses but did not vote at the hearing.

The public hearing closed after the final statements. Councilman Michtom thanked speakers and said the council appreciated the turnout; no formal vote on the ordinance amendments was taken during the session.