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Norwalk Police union endorses Republican legislative candidates

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Norwalk Police at a West Avenue incident. (File photo)
The 2020 election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk Police officers have endorsed every Republican legislative candidate set to be on the Norwalk ballot this fall, save one.

Endorsed at Thursday’s meeting of Norwalk Police Union Local 1727 were:

  • Jonathan Riddle for U.S. Representative
  • Elisavet “Ellie” Kousidis for State Senate
  • Ellen Wink for District 137 State Representative
  • Terrie Wood for District 141 State Representative
  • Fred Wilms for 142 District State Representative
  • Patrizia Zucaro for 143 District State Representative

 

The only candidate not on that list is John Flynn, who is running for District 140 State Representative.

Norwalk Police do not typically endorse legislative candidates. The vote, described as unanimous in a press release, follows the passage of a controversial Connecticut police accountability bill.

“Our Union feels the Democratic party used us for photo ops and has taken advantage of our friendships,” Lt. David O’Connor, police union President, is quoted as saying. “They wrote and passed a bill that damages our ability to do policing in the most basic sense and threatens our job security. The bill was rushed through with zero input from the stakeholders in policing with no evidence to show the need for such drastic changes.  We feel betrayed and deceived.”

The ambitious legislative attempt to reset Connecticut’s policing standards, training and culture in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing by police was met in July with a mix of furious pushback from police officers complaining of a political overreaction to measured critiques by others in law enforcement who say they are ready to embrace change.

A hearing conducted via Zoom video conferencing by the legislature’s Judiciary Committee attracted written and oral testimony from hundreds, but it perhaps drew the strongest response from the police profession, under fire from nationwide demonstrations against police bias and violence towards Blacks and other minorities..

“We feel it is a knee-jerk reaction,” said Sgt. Alexia Castro, the president of the police union in Naugatuck.

Norwalk Police “hope that the Republicans can bring some common sense and logic to the legislature and make sensible changes to this law,” O’Connor is quoted as saying in Saturday’s press release. “Police work was difficult enough prior to this bill being passed. With the enactment of bill HR6004 sound, good policing is now nearly impossible.”

Norwalk Democrats did not respond to an email asking for comment.

 

Republican candidates react

Each of the Republican candidates expressed personal support for the Norwalk Police Department and its officers, during the police union meeting, the press release said.

Republican District 25 State Senate candidate Elisavet “Ellie” Kousidis visits Norwalk Polie headquarters recently. At left is Officer Robert Zwillich and at right is Officer Michael Sellas. (Courtesy photo)

“I am an educator by profession,” Kousidis is quoted as saying. “We teach children to respect law enforcement officers and take pride in the safety of our city. I don’t agree with the current attempts to drive a wedge between our officers and the community they serve.”

Kousidis is seeking to unseat State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-25), who has publicly accused Norwalk Police of bullying him when he went to Norwalk Police headquarters in July, after the House passed the bill.

Kousidis said, “When elected I promise to be a voice in Hartford that better understands and supports the vast majority of professional law enforcement personnel who serve us. I further pledge to include representatives of the police community in consideration of any future legislation that may be proposed to affect the safety of Connecticut citizens.”

Wilms is seeking to unseat State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-142), who took the seat from him in 2018. He had served two two-year terms.

“I very much appreciate the endorsement from our Norwalk police,” Wilms is quoted as saying. “They do an excellent job of protecting us and being engaged in the Norwalk community.”

Wink is seeking to unseat State Rep. Chris Perone (D-137), who has held the position for more than 15 years.

“I know many of the Norwalk police officers,” Wink is quoted as saying. “They are highly trained, professional in their approach and genuinely concerned for the safety of our community. Their endorsement means a great deal to me.”

Zucaro is competing with Democratic candidate Stephanie Thomas for the seat held by State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143), who is retiring from the post.

“I am truly honored to have received this endorsement because I have so much respect for the work that the Norwalk Police Department does every day,” Zucaro is quoted as saying. “We can never imagine how difficult that job is and we must ensure that they have the tools and the means to perform it to the best of their ability.”

Wood is running for reelection unopposed. She praised the Norwalk Police Union and her fellow candidates for standing together in respect for the tradition of admiration for the Norwalk police, according to the press release.

“This department has for decades been recognized as a leader in professional development and the exercise of its law enforcement responsibilities,” Wood said in the release. “I truly admire these officers and believe that respect ought to be shared by the legislature as a whole.”

Riddle, a Norwalk resident, is running against U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Greenwich).

“It is an honor to be endorsed by the Norwalk Police Union Local 1727,” Riddle is quoted as saying. “I firmly stand behind our police that continue to uphold law and order and keep our communities safe. I look forward to supporting the fine men and women of law enforcement when I get to Congress.”

Flynn is seeking to unseat State Rep. Travis Simms (D-140), who is in his first term.

Fynn has filed many lawsuits against Norwalk Police, representing himself pro se, accusing the department of helping to cover up 300,000 felonies in his alleged loss of millions of dollars through wire fraud, check fraud and securities fraud. He has posted multiple YouTube videos accusing Norwalk Police of misconduct and in one recent video, called the late Officer Cesar Ramirez “the dumbest guy on the planet Earth. A nice guy though, very nice man.”

Flynn said Sunday that he is glad his fellow Republican candidates were able to secure their endorsements.

“As you know Travis has sought defunding and cutting their budget in the past but a handful of officers don’t believe I am a friend to the police,” Flynn wrote. “My godfather and his three sons were great policeman.  a 20-YEAR VENDETTA is no substitute for probable cause.  I ask where is the 47 million?”

Copy edit, 2 a.m. Tuesday: clarification to headline that this was a union vote. Connecticut Mirror reporters Kelan Lyons and Mark Pazniokas contributed to this story.

Comments

17 responses to “Norwalk Police union endorses Republican legislative candidates”

  1. Norwalk resident

    Who cares who they endorse? Most of them live out of town anyway. Vote for who you think is the best candidate.

  2. Ron Morris

    Who really cares what candidate city employees endorse. Most of the cops don’t even live in Norwalk. Sure they want the Republicans as the Republicans will not hold them accountable for their behavior.

  3. Ct. V

    It’s disappointing that the NPD sees any attempt to hold bad police accountable for their actions as such a threat. None of this helps relations between the NPD and the people that they serve.

  4. Bryan Meek

    This endorsement aligns with common sense and should be the clarion call to the reasonable state democrats that the citizens do not support Bob Duff and team’s war on police.

    If I were to listen to the shameless apologists….

    I must have imagined that during the worst pandemic in 50, possibly 100 years our legislature wasn’t busy working in a bi-partisan fashion, doing their jobs passing meaningful economic and health care legislation to mitigate the affects of a 30% contraction in our economy and to protect our most vulnerably conditioned residents instead of our state having the 4th worst fatality rate in the country.

    I must have imagined that while our essential workers were on the front lines in health care or food service delivery that Bob Duff and team were in hiding instead of giving the keys to the Governor to drive our state into the ditch without any oversight.

    I must have imagined that when called back to the statehouse to get our important business done, BoB Duff and team decided to start a war against police instead of passing a law that had consensus and was fully vetted. I must have imagined this and ballot harvesting capabilities were the only important business they had to take care of.

    And now, I must have imagined that the curve flattened 3 months ago, but Bob Duff and team are still in full cancel culture with the war on small businesses, church, and football going full steam ahead as they gave the Governor another 5 months of emergency powers when there is no longer any emergency.

    Hopefully in a few months adults can collaborate to find a moderate set of reforms that don’t knee cap law enforcement can be implemented, while Bob take takes his pail and shovel home.

  5. DrewT

    This is one of the first times in as long as anyone can remember that the police union endorsed fantastic Republican Candidates!! Many many of our great First Responders and Hero’s in the NPD are born and bred local Norwalk Residents! They have such a care and love for this City that goes beyond the normal day in and day out of police work which is never the same day twice. I know the candidates are beyond thrilled to receive their endorsement and it means a great deal to the residents of Norwalk. These are well trained officers who do a great job given the war on the police that has been launched by the Democrats. And it even goes as far as our incumbent Senator lying about an incident at the department. And members of his own party even wrote an editorial condemning the incident and stand with him. That’s not backing our police that’s not backing the safety of the residents of Norwalk. The Republicans that seems running have the best interests of Norwalk and not the National Narrative. They are all committed are doing what’s best for us, to keep us safe, secure, and a place we are proud to call home. They will work together with our Men & Women in Blue and not against them! They will work on changes that need to be made and how they can make policing better and safer for everyone. That’s what real representation in our elected officials look like. Thank You to the NPD and come this November remember to BACK THE BLUE and our amazing slate of Republican Candidates who want nothing more then to serve our community. They don’t want to divide and Speedo like the Democrats are trying to do.

  6. DrewT

    This is one of the first times in as long as anyone can remember that the police union endorsed fantastic Republican Candidates!! Many many of our great First Responders and Hero’s in the NPD are born and bred local Norwalk Residents! They have such a care and love for this City that goes beyond the normal day in and day out of police work which is never the same day twice. I know the candidates are beyond thrilled to receive their endorsement and it means a great deal to the residents of Norwalk. These are well trained officers who do a great job given the war on the police that has been launched by the Democrats. And it even goes as far as our incumbent Senator lying about an incident at the department. And members of his own party even wrote an editorial condemning the incident and stand with him. That’s not backing our police that’s not backing the safety of the residents of Norwalk. The Republicans that seems running have the best interests of Norwalk and not the National Narrative. They are all committed are doing what’s best for us, to keep us safe, secure, and a place we are proud to call home. They will work together with our Men & Women in Blue and not against them! They will work on changes that need to be made and how they can make policing better and safer for everyone. That’s what real representation in our elected officials look like. Thank You to the NPD and come this November remember to BACK THE BLUE and our amazing slate of Republican Candidates who want nothing more then to serve our community. They don’t want to divide and separate us like the Democrats are trying to do..

  7. East Norwalk Resident

    Just a point of reference, your headline is misleading.
    The Police union has endorsed these candidates, not the rank and file. In many police departments across the country, there is a very different demographic make up,
    Look no further than NYC.

  8. CT-Patriot

    Let’s go over what is happening in a Democrat run city:

    Two LA Sheriff Deputies Ambushed in Compton, Both Reported Shot in the Head, Fighting for Lives in Surgery

    “We Hope the B*tch Dies!” – BLM Chants Against 31-Year-Old LA Sheriff Deputy and Mother After She is Ambushed and Shot in the Head — Try to Breach Hospital!

    Black Lives Matter Mob Swarms HOSPITAL Where Deputies Were Being Treated After Being Ambushed, Threaten Police at Scene Saying ‘You’re Next’

    Lancaster Black Lives Matter Militant Calls for People to Shoot Cops After Rioters Are Shot With Rubber Bullets

    local Lynwood city Manager Jose Ometeotl’s Instagram account:

    Jose Ometeotl posted “Chickens come home to roost” blaming the deputies and law enforcement for the attack.
    The two young deputies had NOTHING TO DO with any historic wrongs in the community.

    Now, ask yourself, would you support and vote for Democrats after learning of this hate and disdain for police officers? This is just one example of a short timeline.

    It’s past time we all support law and order.

    Vote Republican for law and order.

    I can say that if there is or will be in the future, a “bad apple” in the force, Republicans will immediately take action to save the force by outing and removing them swiftly before more harm is done to tarnish the police force in the community.

    We need a police force who serve with distinction and honor and it cannot be accomplished with Democrats running government who vilify the entire force and defund them thereby weakening law and order.

    Good for them for supporting representatives who will assist them to perform their duties without fear of retribution.

  9. john j flynn

    Excellent step in the right direction. In our Sanctuary State, Lamont told the municipalities not to assist ICE. The law. The silent majority is in a tough spot. these officers that took an oath to uphold the Constitution, in a the Constitution State, are changing their ways. Two LA officers were ambushed recently. So was the Norwalk Police Department by the Senate Majority Leader. I am not on the list because we don’t see eye to eye on Internal Affairs. So be it. I fully understand what is at risk. No apology necessary. All but one republican needs the endorsement. In the 140, the endorsement probably would not help me. Its all about the rule of law and due process. Their hands are tied.

  10. Bryan Meek

    Under the category “Actions have Consequences”, I’m told by insurance professionals that Property and Casualty policies for Police Officers are already being cancelled by their providers. Vermont Mutual, for one, has sent letters to CT State Troopers indicating that they are employed in an “unacceptable occupation”.

    I wonder if Duff is getting a break on his insurance for the Capitol Police vehicle sitting out there again today and if that person on duty is now shopping for another (and certainly more expensive) insurance policy.

  11. M Murray

    Of note is that Duff is one of the state’s leading anti-second amendment legislators, making it more difficult for citizens to defend themselves from REAL predators and criminals that Democrats are letting out of prison and reducing criminal penalties for. Yet a police officer spits on the ground, and he gets armed police officers parked in his driveway to protect himself and his family. A little ironic, isn’t it?? Citizens don’t need firearms to defend themselves from criminals, but Duff needs armed police protection from an insult.

  12. Norwalk resident

    Drew Todd you need to do some studying. I bet 70 percent of the norwalk cops dont live here. Why is it important who the union endorses? They endorse for their own behalf, not the people they serve. Bob Duff gets the security because of the person driving by in a pick up truck yelling obscenities. Next he might propose a bill limiting the overtime a Norwalk cop can work. It is the police mafia on construction sites now a days. Russ Ouellete would have to work 90 hours a week for 50 weeks to make that money. Guess when he naps? On our time! Tired of the crying from the police

  13. Ron Morris

    Well so much for the video being released today. Is it taking more time to edit than planned? At this point I would not trust the video.

  14. Dog owner

    But Bob Duff wishes us “Happy Birthday”once a year on Facebook once a year. He can’t be that bad?! LOL

  15. Ryan

    OUTSTANDING!
    Democrats are going to be held accountable at the ballot box

  16. Charles

    Proves the police union does not want officers to have accountability because they want to be left alone as the highest paid municipal workers with superior job protections, which Ellie likes for votes

  17. Curious Voter

    I’m concerned that NPD would support Ellie who apparently called Mr. Duff a horrible human being. We ALL know that is not true about Mr. Duff! Not only that, if she thinks Mr. Duff’s is a horrible human being does she think the same thing of trump? If she can’t identify trump, based solely on his words and actions over his lifetime, as a horrible human being with no empathy for anyone, including his own supporters, I sure as hell wouldn’t endorse or vote for anyone that thinks this way. What say all of you on retracting the statement or saying trump is the same? Take your pick! Speak up repubs or you yourselves can be considered horrible human beings for not speaking up when one of your own says these untrue horrible things about an opponent! This is from the trump playbook we’ve all been watching! If we start electing people like this, who thinks they’ll get votes by saying nasty horrible lies we’re ALL in trouble!! The only votes they’ll get is from like minded liars and racists, much like trump. I really hope she misspoke or was misquoted since she seems like a nice person. We’ll see, words and actions will speak for themselves.

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