Spitting Case With CT Senator Probed By Norwalk Police Chief

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk police Chief Thomas Kulhawik is wrapping up an investigation into an incident from July in which state Sen. Bob Duff says he was spat at by a Norwalk officer during a tense meeting at headquarters over the new police accountability law.

Kulhawik told Patch that he has spoken to Duff, who also is Majority Leader in the state Senate, and the officer, and he has reviewed security camera footage.

"I am now completing a review of the entire incident and then will make a determination as to what actions are appropriate," Kulhawik said. "There are also procedural issues I must follow as well before a focal determination is made."

The Hour writes that the Friday meeting between Duff and the chief lasted two hours.

According to correspondence from Duff to Norwalk police union President Sgt. David O'Connor, the incident occurred on July 22 when Duff went to police headquarters to discuss the bill, which he supported.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed the new accountability bill into law in August. It makes sweeping changes to policing in Connecticut, including altering the immunity from liability that officers currently have in the state. That change is the most controversial, but it is not scheduled to take effect until the middle of 2021.

Members of the department were angry about the bill when Duff went to headquarters, and they let those feelings be known, including the one officer who Duff says spat at him:

As we were talking, the single door opened and I saw one of your officers, and about twenty other officers behind him. He then looked at me in a menacing manner, and spit at me. Yes, spit at me. I was shocked and could not believe this was the Department I have supported my entire legislative career. As soon as that happened, a Lieutenant told me I should leave the headquarters immediately. Dumbfounded, I asked him to repeat himself. He then stated again that I should leave, I then inquired if my safety was in danger. The Lieutenant responded that officers were angry. Should any taxpaying resident, much less an invited guest, even have to ask if he or she is safe at the Norwalk Police Department?

The chief did not offer a time frame for when he will make a decision in the case. He also did not say who else he interviewed for the investigation.