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State Rep. McGee Concerned Over Treatment By Hartford Police

After Being Pulled Over In North End

By STEVEN GOODE

March 22, 2013

HARTFORD —— State Rep. Brandon McGee has reached out to police and city officials to express concern about the way he says he was treated by police when he was pulled over in the North End Wednesday night.

McGee, 29 and a city resident, said he had just left a church on Barbour Street and was driving home in his black Honda Accord around 8:45 p.m. "Four or five" cruisers pulled him over near the intersection of Nelson Street, he said.

McGee, whose car did not have legislative license plates, said one officer told him that they were "stopping all suspicious vehicles and that my [tinted windows] were too dark."

McGee, an African American who represents the 5th State House District, said Friday he felt he was treated rudely by the officers. He was given a written warning and told to make sure the tint on his windows is legal.

McGee said Friday that he spoke to Deputy Police Chief Emory Hightower, and sent emails to Police Chief James Rovella and Mayor Pedro Segarra, to express his concerns over his treatment by the officers.

Hightower, who was placed in command of the North End by Rovella in December, declined to comment Friday.

Police spokesman Lt. Brian Foley said Friday that command staff was aware of the incident, but added that no formal complaint had been filed with the department.

"If a complaint is made, either verbally or written, it will be addressed," Foley said. "Chief Rovella's goal is to have all officers be as polite and professional as possible at all times."

Segarra said in an email Friday that it "was unfortunate for anyone — a state representative or not — to be subjected to something of this nature."

Segarra said that he had no doubt that the officer involved had the best intentions, but added that "occasionally it is not what is said, but rather how it is said."