Press Releases
05/01/2018
Gov. Malloy Announces Groundbreaking Partnership between Connecticut and Center for Policing Equity
Connecticut Becomes the First State to Partner as a Whole with the National Justice Database
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(WASHINGTON, DC) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Connecticut’s police agencies, including the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, have joined in a partnership with the Center for Policing Equity’s (CPE) National Justice Database (NJD), the largest compilation of police data in the nation. To date, more than 240 of the country’s police departments, representing more than 25 percent of the United States’ population, have partnered with the NJD, but today’s announcement makes Connecticut the first state to make such a commitment.
“This partnership will allow for a systemic and data driven approach to address the tension between law enforcement and the citizens they serve,” Governor Malloy said. “It goes well beyond data collection to include analytics and customized solutions, giving police chiefs a significant tool toward being able to evaluate use of force and bias within their ranks. A robust and transparent analysis of data will continue to help our law enforcement agencies to become the more just and professional departments we always strive to be. Connecticut’s law enforcement agencies have continued to use data-informed strategies to reduce crime. That is one of the reasons our state has reduced the rate of violent crime more than any state in the nation over the last four years.”
“This historic partnership underscores Connecticut’s steadfast commitment to our law enforcement community and the public that our state and local police serve,” Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora Schriro said. “Now more than ever, we must use the most current and comprehensive data tools available to make the best informed decisions.”
“There is an emergent and eminent need for standardized data from police departments nationwide. Not just to learn about what is happening now, but to be able to look ahead to the future,” Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, president and co-founder of the Center for Policy Equity, said. “Connecticut’s participation will open the door for other states looking to analyze how their departments are operating and what can and should be improved to build trust between police and the communities they serve. With the help of Google engineers and the software we are building together, the National Justice Database will give us a better vision for America’s criminal justice system.”
Since taking office, Governor Malloy has pushed for policies ensuring equitable policing practices.
- In 2012, he signed SB 364, which sought to reduce instances of racial profiling by requiring all police agencies to collect and electronically report data on traffic stops.
- In 2014, he signed HB 5389, which requires police departments to document and report all stun guns and electronic weapons incidents to the state.
- And in 2015, he signed HB 7103, which established changes in training, procedures, equipment, use of force, and hiring. In addition, it provided grants to make police body cameras accessible for local police departments.
The Center for Policing Equity is the nation’s leading think and action tank on racial justice and policing. In an era of political divisiveness and social unrest, CPE believes collaboration with law enforcement and communities is imperative. CPE has worked for 10 years to hold police and their communities accountable and build trust in cities and states across the country. By providing evidence-based analytic tools and up-to-date research, CPE’s work amplifies the need for a broader bipartisan movement for criminal justice reform.
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