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Activists Demand Firing of Hamden Officer at Police Commission Meeting

The commission chair explained that generally they cannot fire the officer until the police department completes an internal investigation and then formal charges are brought to the commission to be considered.

What to Know

  • Hamden Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a vehicle while investigating a robbery on April 16.
  • A passenger in that vehicle, 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, was injured in that shooting. No weapon was found on the victims.
  • Protesters have been rallying since the shooting, calling for the firing of both officers.

Activists interrupted a Hamden Police Commission meeting Wednesday, demanding an officer be fired and calling for justice after two people in a car were shot at by police last month.

The commission is authorized to oversee the department and hear any complaints that people have against the department or specific officers.

The commission was forced to end the meeting when it was disrupted by protesters chanting "Fire the officer," "no justice, no peace," and "Do your job."

The situation got heated and protesters followed several commission members out when they ended the meeting early.

The commission chair explained that they cannot fire the officer until the police department completes an internal investigation and then formal charges are brought to the commission to be considered.

On April 16 a Hamden police officer and a Yale police officer opened fire on a car with two people inside while investigating a reported robbery. The passenger in that vehicle, 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, was injured in that shooting. No weapon was found on the victims.

The shooting set of a string of protests demanding the firing of both officers and transparency in the investigation.

“People are troubled and they’re troubled over this situation and so am I," Police Commission Chairman Michael Iezzi said.

Iezzi explained that they can't simply fire an officer. Generally, the police chief has to do the internal investigation and then formal charges related to policies and procedure are then brought to the commission to be considered.

“It’s a very tough time and we’re trying to do the right thing for everybody," he said.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found that a majority of Hamden residents believe the shooting in New Haven involving a Hamden police officer was not justified.

Connecticut State Police and the New Haven State’s Attorney continue to investigate.

Hamden has launched its own internal investigation in consultation with an independent expert.

The two officers are on paid leave while the investigations take place.

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