“You stated that there are good and bad cops, you are correct. There are far more good ones than bad, which is more than I can say for politicians.”
I remember seeing the book, “I Love a Cop” by Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. while browsing in the bookstore many years ago. I was preparing for a career in law enforcement at the time, so I gave it a perusal. Although my law enforcement career was delayed by cancer, I nevertheless devoured everything I could in terms of police literature, online materials, cop videos, and the like, to give myself an idea of what I was preparing myself for. Family members of cops similarly delve into the dynamics of what is entailed in being a law enforcer, including the perils which sadly culminate in tragedies.
I imagine Marissa Cullen can attest to the rigors, sacrifices, hardships, and the gambit of potential tragedies associated with being a police officer. Who is Marissa Cullen and why would she have even the remotest sense of these police dynamics? She is the wife of a Hartford policeman … whose government representative recently had negative things to say about police officers. One particular reference made by this representative against Hartford cops is that they are “cowboys.”
Connecticut House Representative Minnie Gonzalez (D—Hartford) has been a legislator since 1996. Among her professional positions in life, she fulfilled the role of Assistant Registrar of Voters. Currently in her 11th term, Rep. Gonzalez is the Deputy Majority Leader and is a member of the Legislative Management, the Judiciary, and the Public Safety and Security committee in Connecticut’s capitol.
How does someone with such vast credentials and tenure get sharply rebuffed by a cop’s wife?
Pertaining to HB 6663 (“An Act Concerning Police Misconduct”), she made the following statement on the Capitol floor before the Connecticut Legislative General Assembly:
“And if I support Chief Rovella, I’m saying I support Hartford Police Department. Yes, they have the bad and the good ones, and I’m not happy with the bad ones. But, I always say that we have to deal with whatever we have in front of us and try to make it better.”
Excerpted further, Gonzalez continued, “We all know that they have a good pay. They got good benefits. And when they retired they retired with a good pension.”
With a scrunched-up face and snarl, she added,
“And guess what, we also have been paid their lunches and dinners. I don’t hear anybody complaining about ‘that’s a waste of money.’ We don’t complain.” She mumbles something about a special budget meeting, then utters, “But we have to hold them accountable. They are not above the law.”
Before Rep. Gonzalez finished her remarks, she went for the jugular with derogatory references:
“This bill is to hold accountable and to stop those cowboys that, because they got a bat [badge?] and a gun, they think they can go shooting, especially young kids in our community. This is not the Wild Wild West. And, no consequences. Those cowboys doesn’t belong in the police department. This abuse gotta stop. Today it’s happening to the African-American and the Latino communities. Tomorrow will be others.”
In response to that came the following written reply from Mrs. Cullen, the spouse of a Hartford cop.
“To State Representative Minnie Gonzalez:
“I am the proud wife of a Hartford Police Officer and Air Force Veteran. The men and women of the Hartford Police Department are some of the finest people I know, and have more integrity than you could ever wish to have. They serve their communities with pride, dedication, and distinction. These officers put their lives on the line every single day, for little pay, little recognition, and with very little support from elected politicians. These men and women go into their neighborhoods every day truly trying to make a difference, something you know nothing about.
“The comments made by you on June 5, 2017 in defense of bill HB6663 were appalling, ignorant, and unnecessary. While you stated that you support the HPD and its officers, your statements were a direct contradiction to that. Let me address them one by one.
“You stated that the officers were cowboys with guns and bats. I’m not sure I have ever seen them wear cowboy hats or boots to work. I have seen officers on horse-back, however they were not herding cattle. I have seen my husband come home with blood on his boots and tears in his eyes as he has faced some of the most horrific acts humans can do to one another. I’ve watched him on phone calls with other officers, consoling them as they attempted to come to terms with the suicide call, or child abuse case, or the senseless murders that occur all too frequently.
“You stated that there are good and bad cops, you are correct. There are far more good ones than bad, which is more than I can say for politicians. The vast majority of police officers joined the force to do good, to make a change, and to be positive influences in their communities.
“You stated that HPD officers have good pay, good benefits, and a good pension. What you fail to mention is that their good pay comes from countless hours of overtime, or road jobs (which are not paid for by the city, and the city actually makes money off of), you fail to mention the missed birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and special occasions they have missed in order to protect your ignorance. From my understanding, you get paid a hefty stipend for being an elected official, receive benefits, and will receive a pension.
“You stated that ‘you’ pay for the officers’ lunch and dinner. I’m not sure how you determined that, as I send my husband with his meals daily, while he works his 16-hour shifts. He frequently comes home with his meals still in his bag, as they do not get a lunch break, and is often lucky if he can even get a bite in between calls.
“You stated that these ‘cowboys’ are killing young kids in our community with no consequences, and this abuse needs to stop. Since 2005 there have been 20 Officer Involved Shootings according to HPD data. That’s one shooting every 219 days by an officer. Considering the amount of public interaction, and the calls for service, this equates to a less than 1% chance of being shot by a police officer in Hartford. The last time a person was killed by a police officer in Hartford was in 2013, a whole 4 years ago, and it was entirely justified. Again, your ignorance is glaring, and your abuse of police officers needs to be stopped.
“You stated that you pass laws frequently to protect and train police officers. The training is mandated by the State of CT, and you have done nothing to indemnify, or protect officers of your community. In fact, based on your history, I am not even sure how you can remain in office. Your family has been called a ‘crime syndicate.’ You have been found guilty of elections violations, you have the “Minnie Gonzalez Little League,” which receives over $75,000 a year in taxpayer money, and is managed by your husband. In fact, it seems as if you have a significant conflict of interest in presenting or debating any type of law enforcement bill, as taking power away from the police directly benefits you and your family.
“It is very easy to sit in your safe office and make ignorant, untrue statements towards our officers. They need your support, not your condemnation. You lack integrity, honesty, and decency. You should take a ride along with a Hartford Police Officer on a Saturday night during the summer, and see what they are exposed to. Have you ever taken simulation training? I’m sure you would not make accurate split-second decisions that you expect from our officers. You truly should be ashamed of your statements against HPD and in fact should issue a very public apology for condemning them in the way you did.”
She signed it with the salutation:
“Marissa Cullen, The Wife of A Hartford Police Officer”
As in most of the articles I write for OpsLens, I research, compose, and often incorporate bits and pieces of irony. For this particular post, buried down at the bottom of Rep. Gonzalez’s biography, is the following tidbit:
“Before running for State Representative, she worked as a Special Deputy Sheriff in the West Hartford Superior Court for many years.”
Does a certain elected official in Connecticut have an axe to grind? Is someone pandering to constituents like a talking-head at a podium? Are some of the points alluded to by Mrs. Cullen the basis for angst and animosity toward police? What’s really going on here?
