Politics & Government
Hartford Council Votes To Slash Police Funding By $2 Million
The council voted to cut the police department's budget by about 4 percent at a Wednesday meeting.
HARTFORD, CT — The city council voted at its Wednesday night meeting to cut police funding by $2 million out of a $46 million budget, WTNH reported. The move comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial inequality.
Mayor Luke Bronin said he supports the council's decision and that the funds will be redirected toward an investigation staff for the Civilian Police Review Board, along with investing in training related to deescalation and race issues.
He said that he doesn't support "'defunding' police," but he does support "reimagining police and embracing real reforms," according to WTNH.
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Council members from the Working Families Party had called for much more drastic action, including a 25 percent cut in police funding, NBC CT reported.
However, police officials said such aggressive budget reductions would result in eliminating at least 100 officers and would undermine efforts to recruit minority officers.
Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See related: Police Reform Ideas Offered At CT Task Force Meeting
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