A Connecticut police union has requested an apology from the state’s only Muslim lawmaker for criticizing their handling of an assault against her.
State Rep. Maryam Khan experienced a distressing incident when she was physically assaulted in front of her young daughters after attending an Eid al-Adha prayer service in June. The assailant made inappropriate comments, adding to the traumatic nature of the situation.
During an emotional press conference three weeks later, she expressed her disappointment that certain crucial details were overlooked in the police report and expressed her shock at how the severity of the attack was downplayed.
Independent investigations have exonerated the officers, according to the Hartford police union. They also expressed concern that her remarks may discourage women of color from seeking assistance.
The union stated that offering a sincere apology to the responding officers would be a constructive measure in rebuilding the trust that has been damaged.
“The suggestion that black and brown women may not feel safe in Hartford because of police inefficiency could have discouraged people from seeking help from the police in the past seven months, possibly resulting in their pleas for justice going unanswered,”the officers explained.
Khan was outside Hartford’s XL center when she encountered Andre Desmond, 30. Despite experiencing concussion, neck pain, and numbness in her shoulder, the police only noted “minor injuries” and did not provide any medical assistance.
Lawmaker Criticizes Connecticut Police Response
However, the police union responded today, asserting that the responding officers conducted themselves in an exceptional and professional manner. This comes in light of the reports by the Hartford Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division and the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board.
“A sincere apology to the responding officers would be a positive step towards rebuilding the trust that has been damaged,” it stated.
Furthermore, taking into account the potential consequences of her statements on the community and adopting a more cooperative approach will help enhance the overall welfare of Hartford.
Desmond is currently undergoing a mental competency evaluation to determine his ability to stand trial for charges including second-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, and interfering with police.
Meanwhile, Jason Spencer, a Good Samaritan who came to Khan’s aid, appeared in court last week to deny charges of assault against Desmond during the incident. The review concluded that there were significant flaws in both the recording of the attack and the report that the police released to the media.
After conducting a thorough examination of the evidence, it was found that some of Ms. Khan’s complaints were addressed. However, certain oversights in the police activity were also uncovered,’ the conclusion stated.
The reports failed to accurately document the statements provided by the victims and witnesses to the officers, which is a notable error.
In a situation like this, where individuals have suffered injuries and there is a potential trial, it is crucial for law enforcement to gather accurate statements from all witnesses and properly document their identities in the reports.