Statement of Hartford State’s Attorney Gail P.

Hardy and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin

T. Kane

Note: This response does not address the investigation into the death of Anthony Vega Cruz as the
investigation into that incident as it occurred relatively recently and we are still reviewing the
investigative reports from the state police.

There is no denying that use of deadly force cases are difficult, and they are difficult for all involved,
from the family of the deceased, to the police officers involved, and to the community at large. The
facts of the cases are also difficult. In all of these cases (again, this does not address the Wethersfield
investigation), the deceased was exhibiting mental health challenges or under the influence of
narcotics, which prompted a call to the police. In these cases, I and Inspectors from the Hartford
State’s Attorney’s Office respond to the scene as soon as possible, regardless of the time of day that
they occur. I always speak to the families of the deceased, and attorneys for the deceased families, if
they retain counsel. In one case in particular, I agreed to allow the family to receive some of the
deceased personal effects. I agree to allow the police to have their equipment returned to them.

In all of the cases mentioned, I have reviewed all of the reports prepared by the state police and watch
and review any and all video evidence, 911 calls and/or other recorded evidence, which in and of
itself is time-consuming. In each of these cases, the final reports are in some stage of completion. In
each, the use of force was justified but a report has not been issued, as is statutorily mandated. (Again,
this does not include the Wethersfield investigation). To say that the Hartford Judicial District is a
busy jurisdiction is an understatement; but the families of the deceased, the police officers, and the
community at large deserve an answer in writing. I apologize to the families of the deceased for the
time it has taken to complete these reports and am available to them should they wish to further
discuss the matter.

I would note that prior to 2015 the responsibility for the investigation into the use of deadly force
rested with the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District where the incident occurred. Hartford and
other large cities have a disproportionate number of these incidents probably due simply to the
population. These are complex investigations that take several months or more for the state police
to complete their work and submit it to the state’s attorney. It has only been since 2015 that these
cases must be transferred to another state’s attorney unless there was a specific reason to transfer
the case out. So Hartford and other cities had more investigations and more reports to do.

Again, that is not an excuse for the time it has taken to complete these reports, but it should be noted
again that in all of these cases, there was no finding of criminal responsibility. I have spoken with the
Chief State’s Attorney today and we agree that the State’s Attorneys should revise our internal
policies on the investigation into deadly force to provide for the development of a specific tracking
system for these cases. The informal tracking system now clearly needs improvement.

We have worked with the legislature and other policy makers to address concerns over the
investigation into the use of force by police officers and believe the system is now better than it was
just a few years ago. It should be noted that the number and complexity of these cases will also
increase as a result of legislative action this year to require the State’s Attorney to conduct an
investigation into the use of force in incidents that do not result in death.

We will continue to work with all parties to further improve the system, but must again stress that
these are complex investigations that require extensive investigative work by the state police and
legal research and analysis by the state’s attorney.