HARTFORD — President Trump today addressed a group of law enforcement officers in Brentwood, New York, and endorsed the use of force against people police suspect of criminal activity.
David McGuire, executive director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, had the following reaction:
“At a time when communities need police transparency and accountability to build trust in justice, President Trump has instead encouraged gratuitous violence and civil liberties violations from law enforcement. Connecticut has seen what violence from police looks like, particularly in communities of color, and our state does not need more. Connecticut has also seen what real police reform can do to remedy broken trust in law enforcement. We encourage police in our state to reject the failed 1950’s-style brutality espoused by President Trump and instead adopt the transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity that are the hallmarks of fair, just, and wise policing.”
