EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut State Police Union has voted no confidence in Gov. Ned Lamont and two state police leaders for what they say is a failure to support troopers and because of parts of a new police reform law.
The union announced the results of the symbolic votes Tuesday. Of the 707 ballots deemed valid, the Democratic governor received 687 votes of no confidence, while Public Safety Commissioner James Rovella received 681 and Lt. Col. J. Scott Eckersley received 682.
Messages seeking comment were left with spokesmen for Lamont. A spokesman for Rovella planned to issue a response later in the day. Eckersley did not immediately respond to an email seeking his response to the votes.
The union opposes some sections of the reform bill that Lamont signed into law July 31. Troopers say one section would make it easier to sue police officers, which they say would deter people from becoming police officers and prompt a wave of retirements.
Another section, they say, would strip away exemptions to public records laws in the state police contract that bar the release of personnel files in certain circumstances. The union is suing the state in federal court, asking a judge to declare parts of the law unconstitutional.
Union leaders criticized Lamont for signing the bill, Rovella for failing to speak out against the legislation and Eckersley for alleged failures in leadership, among other reasons.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.