EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The Connecticut State Police (CSP) Union has announced its endorsement for Themis Klarides in the race for the United States Senate.
The union representing over 900 state police troopers, sergeants and master sergeants is looking to bring a more positive change to law enforcement with Klarides after experiencing the dwindling of strong relationships with democratic representatives.
Over the last few years, CSP Union Executive Director Andrew Matthews said, "...many of our democratic friends in both the House and the Senate have essentially abandoned their relationship with law enforcement in general in Connecticut and throughout the country, and we think it's time to take a stand and support those people who support law enforcement and [Klarides] is one of those people."
Among the issues that led to the decision, Matthews explained, is the serious lack of communication from Democrats, especially when it comes to legislation that concerns public safety and state police.
In years past, the CSP Union had endorsed U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, but according to Matthews, Blumenthal made a critical mistake in not communicating with the union as police came under fire on a national level.
"Senator Blumenthal co-sponsored a bill in the United States Senate, 'The Justice and Police Act' of 2021, and never once did he call to ask our position and how important that is for the men and women in the field and the dangers and the risks and the mental stress that [it] caused for our troopers in the field. That is offensive to the State Police Union and our members, and that we do not forget," Matthews said.
Matthews also noted that there has been a serious uptick in threats to law enforcement since the "Defund the Police" movement, but there have been no moves from Democrats to help support police in that time.
The movement and lack of support have led to a sharp decrease of people joining the profession and an increase of people leaving the profession early, he said.
The union hopes to work with Klarides to bring about proper funding back to state police on a national level as well as additional resources and support, Matthews said.
"When law enforcement is given the resources, whether it's funding or services or whatever is necessary, that's what makes us safe," Klarides said.