WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Chief promises to combat racism in police department (Hartford-WTNH) _ Hartford police chief Joseph Croughwell says racism is a sin, and it's illegal. In an effort to improve race relations he says it's time to eliminate it from his department and the Hartford community. And Chief Croughwell has even more plans for fixing a department that some say is beyond repair. News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz. The chief was flanked by his command staff, union leaders, members of the Hartford Guardians, and local clergy, to underscore the seriousness of his new war against racism. In part the announcement today was in response to recent events like the shooting of Aquan Salmon, but it was also to address racism within the department, itself. But some community leaders feel it's too little, too late. Chief Joseph Croughwell, Hartford Police: "Let me make this perfectly clear. We will not stand for the continuation of racism within this department." Strong words from Hartford police chief Joseph Croughwell. He says he was compelled to speak after community leaders raised concerns about minority supervisors being undermined and their orders countermanded because of racism. But minority officers and community leaders say a statement condemning racism is not enough. It's only the first step in what is sure to be a very long process. Ned: "Are you convinced now that it'll be easier to do your job without fighting these problems? Dep. Chief James Berry, Hartford Police: "Well, like I say, we've only laid down a foundation. It takes a little while to build a house. Building that house to fight discrimination and racism is gonna take some time." The chief admits it took him time to realize how bad things had become. Chief Croughwell: "You don't want to believe that something like that exists, and sometimes you need to get whacked over the head with a board before you wake up and do something about it." The chief says some officers are currently being investigated for spreading false rumors about minority supervisors, but would outline no concrete action for violations of his new no tolerance policy. At least one critic still thinks the chief should resign. Rev. Henry Price, African American Alliance: "You want to see action. Action. If it's not about action it doesn't mean anything. It's all lip service." Rev. Nora Wyatt, African American Alliance: "People now feel they can't trust the police. People that are paid to serve and protect are the very ones that people are afraid to death of." But the chief says things will be different both in the department and the Hartford community. Chief Croughwell: "We need to take steps to make this department reflective of the community and I'm committed to that." Croughwell insists both black and white supervisors are 100 percent behind this new anti-racism push. And he says he's directing every member of the department to be aware that racism exists, and not to take part in its perpetuation. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Chief promises to combat racism in police department
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Hartford police chief Joseph Croughwell says racism is a sin, and it's illegal. In an effort to improve race relations he says it's time to eliminate it from his department and the Hartford community. And Chief Croughwell has even more plans for fixing a department that some say is beyond repair.
News Channel 8's Ned Berkowitz.

The chief was flanked by his command staff, union leaders, members of the Hartford Guardians, and local clergy, to underscore the seriousness of his new war against racism. In part the announcement today was in response to recent events like the shooting of Aquan Salmon, but it was also to address racism within the department, itself. But some community leaders feel it's too little, too late.

Chief Joseph Croughwell, Hartford Police: "Let me make this perfectly clear. We will not stand for the continuation of racism within this department."

Strong words from Hartford police chief Joseph Croughwell. He says he was compelled to speak after community leaders raised concerns about minority supervisors being undermined and their orders countermanded because of racism.

But minority officers and community leaders say a statement condemning racism is not enough. It's only the first step in what is sure to be a very long process.

Ned: "Are you convinced now that it'll be easier to do your job without fighting these problems?

Dep. Chief James Berry, Hartford Police: "Well, like I say, we've only laid down a foundation. It takes a little while to build a house. Building that house to fight discrimination and racism is gonna take some time."

The chief admits it took him time to realize how bad things had become.

Chief Croughwell: "You don't want to believe that something like that exists, and sometimes you need to get whacked over the head with a board before you wake up and do something about it."

The chief says some officers are currently being investigated for spreading false rumors about minority supervisors, but would outline no concrete action for violations of his new no tolerance policy. At least one critic still thinks the chief should resign.

Rev. Henry Price, African American Alliance: "You want to see action. Action. If it's not about action it doesn't mean anything. It's all lip service."

Rev. Nora Wyatt, African American Alliance: "People now feel they can't trust the police. People that are paid to serve and protect are the very ones that people are afraid to death of."

But the chief says things will be different both in the department and the Hartford community.

Chief Croughwell: "We need to take steps to make this department reflective of the community and I'm committed to that."

Croughwell insists both black and white supervisors are 100 percent behind this new anti-racism push. And he says he's directing every member of the department to be aware that racism exists, and not to take part in its perpetuation.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.