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Hartford Police Union calls on Rep. Khan to apologize for statements made following attack

Rep. Maryam Khan is the first Muslim representative in Connecticut's House and criticized Hartford police after she was attacked outside the XL Center last summer.

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford Police Union is asking for an apology from Rep. Maryam Khan for comments she made last July after she was attacked outside the XL Center.

Khan is the first Muslim member of the Connecticut House and was attacked on June 28, 2023, while attending an Eid al-Adha prayer service.

While giving a press conference a week later and describing the attack, she said she and her family were taking photos outside of the XL center when a man, later identified as 30-year-old Andre Desmond from New Britain, approached her and made inappropriate remarks. 

“He made comments stating that he intended to have sexual relations with someone, one of us, and he looked at each one of us, including my 15-year-old daughter and my 10-year-old daughter,” Khan said. 

Desmond then followed them inside, and Khan said he started to pursue her in particular, grabbing at her face and shirt and demanding a kiss. Khan said Desmond followed her back outside and tried to grab her face again but became angry when she “dodged him” and slapped her across the face.

RELATED: Good Samaritan who came to State Rep. Maryam Khan's defense arraigned in court

“He got angry, and he slapped me across my face on my right cheek," she continued. "He followed me. He held me back in a chokehold. He had his hand in the shape of a gun."

During the press conference, Khan said the attack was much more violent and shocking than how it was described in the police report. 

Khan said she was later diagnosed with a concussion. She recalled having to convince emergency responders at the scene she was physically injured and emotionally traumatized.

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“All I keep thinking in these last few days is what happens to women in the city of Hartford that call the police when they are assaulted when they experience what I experienced, when they experience sexual assault, when they experience physical assault,” she said. “Because if this is what’s happening to me and this is the best we can do, as a state representative who represents the city of Hartford, I cannot be okay with that. I’m not okay with that,” she said.

The department initially said Khan suffered “minor injuries" after Desmond, who made lewd comments and tried to kiss her, slapped her face and let go of her neck, causing her to fall to the ground. Khan noted the police report did not mention how her children were present for the attack or that she was a Muslim marking Eid al-Adha, the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage by Muslims to Mecca.

In December, a lawyer representing Desmond asked a judge to order an evaluation for mental competency to determine if he was fit to stand trial. 

Now, the Hartford Police Union is pushing back on those past criticisms of the officers who responded that day. 

RELATED: 'I thought I was going to die' | State Rep. Khan sounds off on Hartford police's response after being attacked at Muslim service

They said in part that "[Khan's] assertation that black and brown women are not safe in Hartford due to police ineptitude may have deterred individuals from seeking police assistance in the last seven months, potentially leaving their cries for justice unanswered."

The union acknowledged that law enforcement agencies, including the Hartford Police Department, can always "strive for improvement," but it is also "essential to recognize the hard work and commitment exhibited by the responding officers in this particular incident."

The union said a "humble apology" would be a positive step towards "mending the trust that has been eroded."

Read the full statement here:

The Hartford Police Union would like to extend their sincere empathy for the traumatic incident Representative Maryam Khan endured on June 28, 2023. It is regrettable that anyone has to experience such distress, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this challenging time. 

In the aftermath of the incident, we observed her press conference, where she expressed her concerns and made serious accusations against the Hartford Police Department. We understand that emotions run high in such situations, but it is crucial to consider the consequences of statements made in the public domain. 

Over the past seven months, the Hartford Police Union has diligently represented the responding officers during two comprehensive investigations - one conducted by the Hartford Police Department's Internal Affairs Division and the other by the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB). The results of both investigations indicate that the responding officers, while having some deficiencies in report writing documentation, acted in an outstanding, police, and professional manner, ultimately delivering justice for her. Their dedication to duty deserves recognition. 

Representative Khan's influential position in our community demands a responsibility to convey information accurately and responsibly. The recent allegations and statements made have created unintended consequences, potentially leading to a decline in public trust in law enforcement. Her assertion that black and brown women are not safe in Hartford due to police ineptitude may have deterred individuals from seeking police assistance in the last seven months, potentially leaving their cries for justice unanswered. 

We acknowledge that law enforcement agencies, including the Hartford Police Department, can always strive for improvement. However, it is essential to recognize the hard work and commitment exhibited by the responding officers in this particular incident. To foster healing within our community, we encourage her to approach this situation with curiosity, patience, and willingness to learn about the complexities of law enforcement operations. 

A humble apology to the responding officers would be a positive step towards mending the trust that has been eroded. Additionally, reflecting on the potential impact of her statements on the community and considering a more collaborative approach will contribute to the overall well-being of Hartford. 

Our communities rely on all of us, including those in positions of power and influence, to work together responsibly and respectfully. Let us strive for excellence and unity, recognizing that perfection is a continual aspiration.

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