Fairfield Cops Call For Patience But Protesters Want Reform Now

FAIRFIELD, CT — It was difficult at times to hear the speakers during a news conference Monday outside the Fairfield police station, where officials' voices came close to being drowned out by the sounds of cheers, chants and arguments from those who supported law enforcement’s message and those who opposed it.

Fairfield police held the event to discuss what they said were “serious public safety concerns” about a sweeping police reform bill that is working its way through the state legislature. During the news conference, a large crowd of protesters gathered on Reef Road, blocking the street to traffic and chanting, “Arrest killer cops,” as Chief of Police Christopher Lyddy spoke.

“We, along with most departments across the nation, agree that systemic change is necessary,” Lyddy said, adding the bill had the potential to affect things like personnel safety and officer retention. “… These changes must be carefully considered and vetted.”

Officials repeatedly said Monday one of their main concerns with the bill, known as House Bill 6004, was it had been rushed. The state House passed the bill by an 86-58 margin Friday morning after a long and passionate overnight debate. The state Senate is expected to discuss it Tuesday.

A news release announcing Monday’s event specifically referenced the bill's proposed inspector general position, ability for towns to create civilian police review boards, changes to police protocols, and elimination of certain protections for officers and municipalities.

Legislators are considering the bill after protests against racism and police brutality were held over the course of several weeks in Connecticut and across America following the death of Minnesota man George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police.

“Emotions are high,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said, noting she supported the sections of the bill that included increased training, education and mental health screening, but adding there was no reason to rush a vote, and she did not want to punish “good men and women who put their lives on the line.”

State Rep. Laura Devlin, a Republican representing Fairfield and Trumbull, referred to Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who held his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, as “a bad man who also happened to be a cop.” Devlin added that the bill does not target bad cops.

“I was proud to vote no on this legislation,” she said, a statement met with an explosion of cheers and jeers from the crowd.

Republican state Rep. Brian Farnen, of Fairfield, said he has attended Black Lives Matter events in recent weeks to listen to what demonstrators had to say.

“We need to have a dialogue,” he said, a sentiment that was barely audible over the shouts of protesters.

Farnen called for the Senate to make a bipartisan effort to improve the bill.

Before the news conference, a crowd of about 50 people gathered, many of whom appeared to support the police. Fairfield resident Emily Winters held a “Thin Blue Line” American flag.

“I support the police force here where I live, and all over the United States,” she said. “… I don’t believe in defunding. Social workers are not going to cut it.”

Emma Bella Bass-Lawrence, of Fairfield, was one of what looked to be just a few protesters outside the police station prior to the event.

“As public servants, police need to be held accountable,” said Bass-Lawrence, who was holding a Black Lives Matter sign.

The makeup of the crowd changed as the news conference began. A large group of demonstrators with signs approached the station, chanting over officials and eventually blocking the road. The scheduled lineup of speakers originally included more than twice as many people as those who addressed the audience. When the event drew to a close, the combined number of supporters and protesters had grown to well over 100, and many demonstrators remained outside the station an hour after the news conference had ended.

Among them was Mikaela Adams, a Bridgeport resident who works in Fairfield.

“The reason I’m here is to fight for the people who are afraid to stand up and fight for themselves who live here,” she said.

A few police supporters lingered on the steps of the station after the event, and one, Fairfield resident Ira Robbin, entered the crowd of demonstrators to talk with them.

“We need more police to protect people of all races,” Robbin said, adding defunding the police will hurt communities of color.

Protester and Bridgeport resident Julissa Santiago said the misuse of violence and power against people of color is the reason she attends protests.

“I’m just angry that it’s 2020, and we’re still out here fighting for basic human rights that we’re born with,” she said.