Ultimately, the consent decree was sunsetted not because the Hartford Police Department had fixed its deeply-ingrained problems, but because there was no proof that it had directly failed to comply with the 1973 or 2010 agreements. Much of the documents’ language was vague and aspirational, and holds little water in a courtroom. The story of Cintron v. Vaughan searches for a path between the potential and limitations of judicial police reform. Often, “justice” does not represent the totality of the facts, or the feelings of the public, or even the volume of harm caused, but rather a game played—earnestly—between narrow readings.

Ultimately, the consent decree was sunsetted not because the Hartford Police Department had fixed its deeply-ingrained problems, but because there was no proof that it had directly failed to comply with the 1973 or 2010 agreements. Much of the documents’ language was vague and aspirational, and holds little water in a courtroom. The story of Cintron v. Vaughan searches for a path between the potential and limitations of judicial police reform. Often, “justice” does not represent the totality of the facts, or the feelings of the public, or even the volume of harm caused, but rather a game played—earnestly—between narrow readings.

Judge Karen Dooley dissolves Cintron, ruling all pending violations inconsequential. She affirms the intention of the consent decree, and recommends that future efforts of police reform move within the powers of “the police department itself, the City of Hartford, and the greater Hartford community.”

Plaintiffs file a motion for contempt and respond to an order to show cause in an attempt to prevent Cintron from dissolving. Defendants oppose both documents, arguing that the HPD has made substantial progress and reforms in recent years.

In July of 2020, following the rising Black Lives Matter protests and national outcry against racial violence, Hartford council members again request that the federal court hold on sunsetting Cintron. During this time, the Connecticut state legislature signed into law the Police Accountability Act. This relatively impressive piece of reformative legislation includes both performative measures and forceful ones, such as curbing qualified immunity.

Judge Bryant denies plaintiffs’ motion for contempt as premature. HPD comes under fire for inadequately investigating sexual harassment allegations within the force.

Plaintiffs file a motion for contempt alleging that there has been no improvement in HPD diversity since the consent decree was enacted, among other violations.

The HPD initiates a recruiting campaign aimed at increasing racial diversity on the force. Mayor Luke Bronin says that the current HPD recruiting class may be the most diverse group hired by the department, with “10 women and 5 ethnic minorities.” (Source)

Hartford City Council passes a resolution requesting the court not sunset the consent decree until the HPD solves several internal issues.

Both Cintron parties enter into a new settlement agreement, generally referred to as the “2010 Agreement,” requiring the defendants to revise several procedural protocols. The settlement stipulates that both parties agree to resolve future disputes outside of legal intervention, to the best of their abilities.