War of words erupts after Jones ruling

It has been five months since white East Haven police officer Robert Flodquist shot and killed black New Haven resident Malik Jones, but a ruling issued on Mon., Sept. 22 cleared the officer of wrongdoing and brought the issue back into the spotlight. And this time, the debate over Jones's death has not only sparked charges of police brutality and racism, but has also pitted city against city, mayor against mayor, and police against state officials.

The Malik Jones saga began Mon., Apr. 14, when Flodquist attempted to pull Jones over for speeding on Frontage Road in New Haven. A high-speed chase ensued when Jones failed to comply and ended on New Haven's Grand Avenue. When Flodquist commanded Jones to get out of his car, Jones put the car in reverse. Within seconds shots were fired.

Jones's death sparked public outrage and brought allegations of racial discrimination and police brutality against the all-white East Haven police department. Two months after the incident, Emma Jones, Malik's mother, publicly called for Flodquist's arrest and began leading protests and marches in an effort to draw attention to the case. In an open letter to State Attorney Michael Dearington, the official who decided whether to press charges against Flodquist, Emma Jones wrote that, "Jones's death forms part of a larger repression and criminalization of youth and people of color that has emerged with recent political shifts in the country."

Dearington, however, ruled Monday that "Officer Robert Flodquist's use of deadly force in causing the tragic death of Malik Jones on Apr. 14, 1997 was reasonable and justified." Dearington based his decision on interviews with Flodquist, East Haven officer Gary DePalma, and several other witnesses, as well as on the results of a joint investigation conducted by the state's crime lab and state and local police departments. Dearington called the investigation "exhaustive" and stated that since Flodquist feared for his life, the force he used was not excessive.

Members of the African-American community have expressed anger at Dearington's decision, but say it was expected. According to Reverend Eric Smith of the Community Baptist Church, "They are very upset, but not really surprised."

What wasn't expected was the war of words between New Haven and East Haven city officials that ensued following Monday's decision. The two sides disagree about Flodquist's conduct, and the case has also brought out blatant rivalries between the two police departments.

East Haven officials applauded Dearington's announcement. East Haven Mayor Hank Luzzi publicly thanked police and state officials for conducting a thorough and objective investigation. "The citizens of East Haven are justly proud of their police department. It is one of the finest departments in the state," he said.

East Haven police officers have also praised Dearington's ruling and denied any racial motivation behind the shooting. "The officers are all fully supportive of Officer Flodquist," Sergeant Joseph Buonome said. He vehemently denies that race was in factor in Jones' death. "I don't feel there is any discrimination here whatsoever," he said.

New Haven city officials tell a very different story. They have blasted Flodquist's conduct and have suggested that the incident was the result of inadequate police training in dealing with minorities. Many New Haven leaders question whether East Haven's police may be unintentionally insensitive toward minorities, considering the lack of non-whites in the force and the community.

"I doubt that Officer Flodquist acted out of racial motivation," New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. said. "It's not a failure of racial sensitivity so much as a failure of police training. I think central to the issue is how you handle people in this kind of situation.... Our officers are better trained to interact with our community." New Haven's police force is 46 percent minority and female officers.

New Haven Police Chief Melvin Wearing also harshly criticized the East Haven officer's actions. Wearing told the New Haven Register that "Officer Flodquist used poor judgment; his tactics were improper." While some New Haven officers fear that such a controversial stand will lead to racial divison and will undermine morale, DeStefano has stood behind Wearing. "I think Chief Wearing is doing an outstanding job," the mayor said. "That's a feeling shared by the New Haven Police Department."

In response to Dearington's decision, Wearing has joined the Jones family, DeStefano, and Aldermanic President Tomas Reyes in calling for a state grand jury or a federal investigation.

Governor John G. Rowland is also taking a stand on Jones's behalf. He has joined city officials in demanding the state grand jury probe and federal investigation. According to Dean Pagani, Rowland's press secretary, the governor wrote to Attorney General Janet Reno and Chief Court Administrator Aaron Ment on Mon., Sept. 22, asking both to investigate the case further.

Like Dearington's decision, Rowland's declaration has come under fire from police officials and community activists. They have accused Rowland of exploiting a tragic death for political gain and have criticized him for not taking a stand before Monday's ruling.

"Governor Rowland should not advocate his opinion on a legal matter for political gain," Gary Waterhouse, president of the Connecticut Council of Police Unions, said. Waterhouse pointed to Rowland's upcoming re-election bid as the motivation behind his public stance. In addition, Waterhouse criticized the governor's lack of faith in the State's justice system.

New Haven resident Craig Green also attacked Rowland's recent decision to call for a grand jury and a federal investigation. Standing on Elm Street with a megaphone on Tues., Sept. 23, Green told passersby that "Slick Willie" is "obviously concerned about [democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara] Kennelly."

Green questioned Rowland's late involvement in the Jones case. "For the governor to say he wants a grand jury to investigate right after the verdict when he's known about it since April 14th leads me to believe he's looking for votes. He should have been there in the first place."

Pagani maintains that these allegations are unfounded, and has said that Rowland is simply responding to public concerns. "The governor stated very clearly on Monday why he is asking Janet Reno to get involved," he said. "People in East Haven and New Haven have raised questions over whether Mr. Dearington's review was the best that could be done and as objective as possible."

DeStefano, a Democrat, also believes the Republican governor's motives are genuine. "How this could help him with his core constituency, I can't understand," DeStefano commented. "I think he's doing it because it's the right thing to do. I applaud him for doing it."

While the political infighting and finger-pointing continues, leaders of the African-American community are focused on bringing Flodquist to justice. Roger Vann, president of the New Haven NAACP, said "there are a lot of other avenues that can be pursued."

The Jones family has filed notices of intent to sue the East Haven and New Haven police departments, and will continue to press for the grand jury and federal investigations. According to Smith, "I don't get the sense that [African-Americans] feel this is the end."

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