Afscme Council 4, Public Safety Chapter

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

Congratulations to Officer Brian Deak, who has been selected as Officer of the Month for May 2026.  Officer Deak was recognized for his outstanding efforts while assigned to the Complaint Bureau, making astonishing strides and improvements in how the division operates and performs in warrant service, organization, and the inventory of current and old warrants.
 
When assigned to the Complaint Bureau in 2023, the Complaint Bureau had well in excess of 600 hard-copy arrest warrants. Officer Deak began the task of reviewing and liaising with the Prosecutors’ office in Stamford, GA 1, to determine the status of each warrant for further prosecution or to have it administratively vacated for a minor offense. He also began the process of having many people surrender on minor offenses, in which the warrants had been idle for a long time. He also coordinated with other divisions for the arrest of individuals wanted on domestic violence charges and other serious crimes.  As of May 2026, only 300 hard-copy warrants remain in our inventory.
 
In addition to the ongoing administration of our hard-copy warrants system, Officer Deak has taken on the responsibilities of the department’s COLLECT validation officer and performs monthly validations of our warrant system required by the NCIC/COLLECT system administrators. He has modernized our PRAWN paperless rearrest warrant system by entering notes and warrants into the software electronically, replacing old handwritten logs and notes, and making the administration of warrants more efficient.
 
Officer Deak, a seasoned veteran officer, has taken on the role of Complaint Bureau officer with professionalism and dedication and has modernized the department’s warrant system.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

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Ledyard Farmers' Market is the best!

Officers Taylor Krajewski and Kyra Gries stopped at the farmers’ market yesterday, and they met a new friend who told them she wants to be a police officer when she grows up.

We can’t wait to see her in uniform! 🚔

06/11/2026

Today, AFSCME Council 4 staff, alongside our courageous police officers from the New London Police Department, joined Governor Lamont at a bill signing ceremony for H.B. 5003, celebrating the legislation’s significant advancements for first responders.

As part of H.B. 5003, your union’s advocacy secured:

- A provision allowing non-CMERS municipalities to create Deferred Retirement Option Plans, or DROP plans, for their employees. This gives towns and cities a new tool to strengthen retirement security, retain experienced officers, and support the police professionals who keep our communities safe.

- A provision requiring the Comptroller to complete a study of health insurance coverage for retired police officers and firefighters. This study will examine gaps in retiree health coverage and the feasibility of requiring municipalities to offer gap retiree health care to retired law enforcement.

- Language expanding municipal property tax relief for the loved ones of first responders killed in the line of duty. This change extends eligibility beyond surviving spouses to include qualifying domestic partners, helping ensure more families of fallen police officers, firefighters, and EMTs receive the support and recognition they deserve.

- The creation of a new Public Safety Personnel Recruitment and Retention Task Force to study real solutions for strengthening Connecticut’s public safety workforce. The task force will examine recruitment and retention tools, including tuition waivers, mortgage assistance, tax credits, and tuition vouchers for public safety personnel and their families.

…And more!

Every day, in municipalities across the State of Connecticut, AFSCME Council 4’s courageous police officers put their lives on the line in service to their communities. Yet, when it is time for our officers to receive the pay and benefits that they have earned through their selfless service, too often they have to fight for the respect and dignity they deserve.

Today was different. Today, Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation that is a significant first step in the right direction, demonstrating genuine gratitude for the incredible service of all of our state’s first responders. For that, we offer our thanks to Governor Lamont and all of those involved in getting this across the finish line.

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

AFSCME Council 4 is proud to recognize PTSD Awareness Month and stand with the first responders who carry the weight of traumatic experiences in service to our communities. Last week, AFSCME joined Comptroller Sean Scanlon at a press conference to recognize the urgent importance of mental healthcare and to honor the solemn, selfless sacrifice made by police officers, correction officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and all those who answer the call in moments of crisis.

At the event, AFSCME Council 4 Executive Director Jody Barr spoke earnestly about the need to expand access to mental healthcare and strengthen protections for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries. That includes changing the legislative definition of a qualifying traumatic event for PTSI workers’ compensation, so the law better reflects the real and repeated trauma our members face on the job. No one who serves their community should have to suffer in silence, and no worker should be denied care because the law has failed to keep up with the reality of their sacrifice.

06/08/2026

AFSCME Council 4 staff were proud to volunteer with the Connecticut Special Olympics this weekend.

It was a great day supporting the athletes, families, volunteers, and organizers who make this event so meaningful. The energy, joy, and sense of community were incredible, and we were grateful and honored to play a small part in it.

We were also glad to be joined by Brookfield Police Cpl. Jason Fiege and Ofc. Tiffany Karalis. Their support and presence helped make the day even more special, and we appreciate the work they do every day serving their community—they represent the very best of public service.

Thank you to everyone involved with the Connecticut Special Olympics for putting together such an inspiring weekend.

06/06/2026

Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 2026 🔥 🚔

Special Olympics Connecticut Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

06/06/2026