Inspector General Visits Public Safety

Connecticut’s first-appointed inspector general and former Judge, Robert Devlin, Jr., spoke to Yale Law School Justice Collaboratory staff, Yale professors, members of the Police Advisory Board, the New Haven Police Department, and Yale Police Department leadership.

The meeting began with remarks by Associate Vice President Ronnell Higgins, introductions by attendees, and a presentation by Devlin on his role as inspector general and the responsibilities of his office.

Attendees watched body-worn camera footage of four real-life examples of fatal shootings. After each video, Devlin asked attendees if they thought the shootings were justified. He explained how nuanced and complex each incident can be and how vital his ruling is in determining if the shootings were justified.

In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, the state of Connecticut legislative body passed a police accountability bill that created the office of the inspector general who is charged with investigating all incidents of use of force that result in serious physical injury or death, in-custody deaths that occur within the police departments or correctional facilities, and incidents occurring when an officer fails to intervene when witnessing a fellow officer using excessive force.