We believe that police violence cannot be effectively addressed without completely reimagining the role of police. Connecticut, like the rest of the country, must reduce the role, responsibilities, and presence of police, especially in Black and Latinx communities. This means, at minimum, diverting funds from policing to instead build safe and healthy communities. Through litigation, legislative advocacy, and education, the ACLU of Connecticut seeks changes to counterproductive policies that have disproportionately harmed communities of color in our state, and to educate people about their rights when interacting with police. We have fought against the increasing militarization of local police departments, sought an end to civil asset forfeiture, called for warrant requirements before police use drones to spy, warned against the weaponization of police drones, and condemned racial disparities in traffic stops. We sued after police unjustly stopped and searched a pregnant woman, a music minister, and a protester. We helped to pass landmark laws to require police transparency about Taser use and to require police to obtain warrants before using "stingrays" to spy on people's private cellphone communications.
Policing
- 118 people have died after being tased by police in Connecticut since 2005. 12 were Black or Latino.
- 2In 2015, statewide, police disproportionately searched Black and Latino drivers, but were less likely to find illegal substances than in white drivers' cars.
Friend v Gasparino, City of Stamford
October 22, 2018Dowdell v New Britain & Dowdell v Connecticut State Police
October 3, 2018Picard v. Torneo, Jacobi, Barone
September 15, 2016
Vereen v. Ruffin and Vasquez
April 26, 2016Cash v. Town of East Haven et al
January 16, 2015
H.B. 5397, An Act Declaring Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis and Establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Advisory Council on Gun Violence Prevention
April 1, 2022S.B. 445, An Act Concerning the Provision of Emergency Medical Services to an Individual Who Is in the Custody or Control of a Police Officer
April 1, 2022H.B. 5074, An Act Concerning Funding for Operation Wingspan to Assist in the Recovery of Stolen Vehicles
March 31, 2022
S.B. 435, An Act Concerning the Permissible Recording of a Private Telephone Conversation
March 31, 2022Section 3, H.B. 5420, An Act Concerning Mental Health Needs of and Services for Police Officers, Certain Requirements Regarding Police Training and Certain Reports
March 31, 2022S.B. 392, An Act Concerning Statements Made By Juveniles
March 31, 2022
The Latest

What happened at the legislature in 2022?
May 6, 2022
Statement Regarding Arrest of State Police Trooper Brian North for...
April 20, 2022
Youth need care, not cops
February 25, 2022
2021 ACLU of Connecticut Annual Report
February 10, 2022
New Website Centralizes Connecticut Statewide and Local Police...
January 18, 2022
Project Flashlight
January 18, 2022
Project Flashlight
January 18, 2022
Twelve goals for 2022
December 20, 2021