Hartford Police Oversight Changes Remain Under Consideration

Hartford officials continued considering proposed changes to the city’s Civilian Police Review Board ordinance after a July 20, 2026, public hearing and City Council debate. The proposal would change how civilian complaints against Hartford police are investigated and how the oversight board and inspector general obtain records.

Under the proposal, the inspector general could access Police Department Internal Affairs files and related records, subject to federal and state confidentiality limits. The review board, through the inspector general, could issue subpoenas under Connecticut law for relevant witnesses and documents. The board would investigate civilian complaints at the same time as Police Department or Internal Affairs investigations, then review completed complaints and report its findings to the police chief.

The proposed ordinance calls for a review board with up to nine voting members and two alternates, a quorum of five voting members, and inspector-general findings generally within 45 days after the necessary complaint materials are received. If the police chief’s proposed action differs from the board’s findings, the measure would provide an independent-arbitration process.

The debate followed disputes over access to Internal Affairs records, subpoena authority and legal challenges involving the Hartford Police Union. Hartford’s legislative-record portal lists the July 20 hearing, but it does not establish whether the Court of Common Council adopted, amended or rejected the proposal. The measure remains awaiting final council action, and the final text and effective date of any enacted ordinance have not been established.