Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of May 17, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 12:42 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. The meeting was conducted remotely utilizing Zoom software in accordance with directives issued by the Governor because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
State’s Attorney Ferencek moved to accept the minutes of the April 19, 2021 meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo invited Connecticut State Police Lt. Col. Jay DelGrosso to discuss State’s Attorneys’ participation in the Detective Methodology Program, training Lt. Col. DelGrosso said about 100 detectives throughout the state are already participating in as a means to obtain basic certification. The program is part of a partnership through Central Connecticut State University’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the state police. Lt. Col. DelGrosso said the program is an effort to standardize best practices in police investigation.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s easing of mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people and what it could mean for courthouses throughout the state. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said he would discuss mask mandates in an upcoming meeting with Judge Patrick L. Carroll III, Chief Court Administrator of the Judicial Branch, and report back to the State’s Attorneys about how the Judicial Branch plans to respond to the latest mask-wearing guidelines.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Information Technology department is continuing to distribute tablets to the Judicial Districts.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Lawlor provided an update on the Conviction Integrity Unit proposal that was distributed recently to the State’s Attorneys. He discussed areas of the proposal that need to be finalized. Following the discussion, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said he and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Lawlor would review the points of discussion and incorporate them into a final proposal that would be sent out for review. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo thanked Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Lawlor for leading the efforts of the Conviction Integrity Unit working group.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that a budget proposed by the Appropriations Committee had been released and that there would be upcoming discussions with each Judicial District regarding open positions that needed to be filled.
Regarding legislative matters, State’s Attorney Gailor discussed language changes to legislation that referenced the detention of suspects.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo and State’s Attorney Griffin reported that in-person training sessions were still limited due to the pandemic but that there are currently several online training opportunities for Division employees. In-person training could resume in the fall.
State’s Attorney Gallo reported that she received a number of ideas to be discussed among members of the Operations Committee and State’s Attorney Preleski said a number of proposed Division policies are currently being considered by the Management Committee.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said he and Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Administration, Personnel and Finance Russotto would soon visit each Judicial District to discuss the status of the recent implementation of the Case Management System.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Sedensky made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Ferencek seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 2:41 p.m.