What Hamden needs is a “Peace Force”

To the Editor;

All across the nation, police and those they serve, are clashing, with loss of live and destruction of property. I have feared for some time that Hamden would be the next Ferguson Missouri, and a few months ago, there we were, on national news. Not the image Hamden wants. Hamden now has the opportunity to select a new police chief that can reset the clock on community relations.

Police forces march to the beat of their own drum. They are arm’s length from political influence, which is a result of past abuses. However, they do not seem to “police” themselves very well. SOME officers are badge heavy: a term for a policeperson who thinks a badge and gun give them the authority TO BE THE LAW, not uphold it. That is not just and it is not legal. There are stories of planted evidence and brutality. A high profile New Haven attorney once boasted he was sending his children through college thanks to the misdeeds of the Hamden police.

In addition, Hamden police purchase military equipment, including a tank, with tax payer dollars. WHO WILL THESE WEAPONS BE USED ON?

For a traffic stop, police employ flashing multi-color lights and sirens at such an intensity and frequency designed to interfere with a person’s central nervous system. A 16 year police veteran (not from Hamden), stated that “They add light to disorient the occupants of the car”. The interaction is one of intimidation and show of force. That is not keeping the peace. It is escalating the violence.

What Hamden needs is a “Peace Force”. A Peace Force will deescalate situations and look for positive outcomes. A Peace Force will concern themselves with the vitality of the neighbors they serve all year round, not just an annual night out.

Many service providers realize that the process of administering services sometimes traumatizes and re-traumatizes the person being “served”. An evidenced based program called Trauma Informed Services was developed and is widely being applied to a wide range of professions, including mental health, substance-use treatment, child welfare systems, schools, criminal justice institutions and law enforcement. Officers learn to broaden their understanding of what people have been through in their lives, how these preexisting conditions or attitudes have affected their personalities, and how best to address the situation with empathy and tolerance. Trauma Informed Services has become standard practice in Connecticut and around the country, promulgated by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).

A trauma-informed Peace Force equips police with methods, tools and resources enabling them to effectively partner with residents to achieve community health and safety. Trauma Informed Services also addresses the care and safety of our police or peace officers. Delivering services is emotionally draining, and there should be department procedure and customs to care for the officer’s physical and emotional wellbeing. It is difficult to show empathy and understanding when you are hurting. It is incumbent upon the Town of Hamden to insure that each officer has the support, training and resources to do their job. The principles of Trauma Informed Care are Safety, Choice, Collaboration, Trustworthiness and Empowerment. With these principles in practice, we will take a giant step forward into real community peace.

Thomas Fortuna Sr

Hamden CT

07/26/19

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