We demand justice for Steven Barrier because the Stamford Police Department has not been held accountable for his death in their custody on October 23, 2019. The following petition details his story, demands for justice, and demands to prevent another death in Stamford Police custody.

Justice For Steven

Release the initial and secondary 911 calls that have since been redacted

Release Steven Barrier’s police report to the public

Release the badge numbers of all the police who were present in Steven Barrier’s pursuit, arrest, and custody

Hold all officers present in Steven Barrier arrest liable for failure to act and breach of duty for not transporting him to receive medical aid at the Stamford Hospital

Hold all officers in the holding cell with Steven Barrier liable for failure to act and breach of duty for not rendering medical aid 

Charge all officers in the holding cell with Steven Barrier with Cruelty to Persons for failure to act and provide medical care that directly led to Steven Barrier’s death in SPD custody. 

Release the details of State Attorney Richard J. Colangelo’s investigation on Steven Barrier’s death to the public 

Reopen the State Attorney investigation into the policies, protocols, and actions that were taken while apprehending Steven Barrier and while he was in SPD custody. 

Enough is Enough 

Defund Stamford Police Department by 50%, 2017/18 actual budget was $58,400,087 which excludes other program funding that goes to SPD, reallocate funds into community services and programs such as mental health services and education

Reduce the Stamford Police Force by 25%, from 270 police officers to 200 police officers, in order to compensate for budget cuts and mandated training

Withdrawal from the 1033 program that permits the Secretary of Defense to transfer excess U.S. Department of Defense property to local law enforcement agencies

Auction the 1033 program property, a utility truck and combat assault tactical vehicle (estimated $200,548 value in 2014), to fund mandated training programs 

Require all SPD officers to be CPR and First Aid Certified in order to respond to emergency calls

Require all SPD officers to be CIP Training Certified in order to respond to emergency calls

Require all SPD officers to receive diversity training by experts and educators rather than by fellow Black and Minority officers 

Require trained mental health personnel to accompany SPD when responding to EDP calls.

 

Who is Steven Barrier? 

Steven Christopher Barrier, a 23 year old young black man, died in Stamford Police custody on October 23, 2019. Stamford Police were dispatched to his family’s home on October 22nd in response to a domestic violence call. When they did not find Steven, they instructed his family to call 9-1-1 if he were to return to the home. Upon receiving the second emergency call at 1:24 AM on October 23rd, 2019, multiple police units responded. 

A chase on foot in pursuit of Steven extended from his home in the West Side of Stamford, CT to the local Home Depot where, as seen on body camera footage, excessive use of force was used to apprehend him. Steven Barrier has a history of mental health conditions and was not well mentally nor physically at the time of his arrest. Rather than taking him to the nearby Stamford Hospital, Police decided to take him to jail at the Stamford Police Department. Once in the patrol car, Steven can be heard asking for air conditioning, those were his last words.

When the patrol car arrived at the Stamford Police Department, four male police officers had to carry his unconscious body to the holding cell. The released body camera footage show one officer failing to find a strong pulse and calling dispatch to notify them Steven was unresponsive. Over ten different Police officers, including an unidentified Sergeant, entered the holding cell and did not render aid. Police are seen putting the end of a pen to his foot, rubbing Steven’s chest, and the Sergeant is seen holding Steven’s head up against the wall by his head. EMT’s arrived to take Steven to the Hospital where he was declared dead at 3:10 AM October 23, 2019. 

An autopsy performed by the medical examiner determined that 23 year old, Steven Barrier, died of natural causes due to Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease. The medical examiner did not report any indication of the alleged use of Narcan and Tasers by police. State Attorney, Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. declared Steven Barrier’s death was the result of natural causes. 

Visit www.stamfordct.gov/public-safety-health-welfare/pages/steven-barrier-caser-timeline for the current released information, including officer body cam footage.

Visit www.stamfordct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1256/f/uploads/2020_city_operating_budget.pdf for the most recent information on the City of Stamford’s Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020