Activists call for Milford police to be fired as investigation into in-custody deaths continues – NBC Connecticut

A call for answers and accountability. A protest was held in Milford on Saturday for Michael Brown, the man who died in Milford police custody earlier this week. Protesters say officers used excessive force and should be fired.

“Justice for Michael Brown!”

Chants from activists and community members are demanding accountability for Brown’s death. He died in Milford police custody after being arrested Wednesday on eight warrants for shoplifting.

“Shoplifting charges are not a death sentence and they shouldn’t be,” said Kerry Ellington of New Haven.

Body camera footage released by the Office of the Inspector General shows Brown being arrested outside Big Y. They say Milford police officers were called there for a shoplifting incident. Milford police officers ask for his identification. He refuses and tries to get into his car.

The video shows the next three minutes of police trying to get Brown out of the car. During the struggle, Brown claims he broke his leg, even though he had been running just moments before.

From the moment he was pulled from the car and placed on the ground, it took officers 54 seconds to handcuff him. He later turned around and appeared to be OK before the bodycam ended.

Both the Office of the Inspector General and Milford Police stated that Brown suffered a medical incident here in the parking lot shortly afterward. Medical assistance was called and Brown was administered Narcan. He later died at the hospital.

Activists believe that excessive force was used during Brown’s arrest and are calling for the Milford police officers to be removed.

“We, the community, know that something wrong has been done and we demand the immediate termination and disbarment of all officers involved,” said Jazmarie Melendez of Justice4Jayson.

They are also demanding that all bodycam footage be made available to Brown’s family.

“They should be able to see what really happened from the point of contact, from the contact with the police, to the end,” Melendez said.

The activists say they plan to continue organizing by attending police commission meetings and contacting Brown’s family to offer him their support.

“We are sorry this happened to you. We stand with you. You are not alone. We do this out of respect for you. We want you to know that we stand with you. That we are here for you,” said Shaenna Taylor of Bridgeport Strong.

The Office of the Inspector General is investigating Brown’s death. The chief medical examiner has not yet made a decision. We have asked Milford Police for a status update on these officers but have not yet received a response. The OIG has also not yet responded to a question about why the body camera footage ends before the medical event and treatment.