CT Senator Says Norwalk Cop Spat At Him Over New Police Law

NORWALK, CT — State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and Norwalk police Chief Thomas Kulhawik will meet on Friday to discuss a recent hostile encounter between Duff and members of the police department angry over Duff's support of the new police accountability law.

The Hour writes that Duff, a Democrat who represents Norwalk and Darien, said a Norwalk police officer spat at him — and others swore at and harassed him — during meetings with police union members earlier this summer.

"An Act Concerning Police Accountability" was signed into law last month by Gov. Ned Lamont, following the recent outcry over racial injustice and what some have called excessive use of force by officers in Connecticut and across the country.

The law was largely passed along partisan lines in the Connecticut House and Senate. It contains some elements opposed by police, namely a change to liability immunity for officers. Darien police Commission Chair Kim Huffard recently voiced her opposition to that provision, too.

A spokesperson for Duff did not reply to a message seeking comment on the incidents, but the senator was quoted by The Hour saying that he believes the majority of Norwalk officers "do their job and do it well."

However, he said he is troubled by the encounters, when, for example, officers surrounded his car "threateningly," because he can only imagine how some of them might treat someone nonwhite and with less privilege than him.

Kulhawik declined to comment. He confirmed he and Duff will meet on Friday.

Through a spokesperson, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling declined to comment. Rilling served as the city's chief of police for 17 years from 1995 to 2012.

Read The Hour story.