A Homecoming for Torrington Police: Torrington Officers Choose AFSCME’s Strength, Experience, and Solidarity
AFSCME Council 4 is proud to announce that the courageous men and women of the Torrington Police Department have chosen to return to the Council 4 family.
The Torrington Police Union first affiliated with AFSCME in 1965, making it one of the earliest-formed AFSCME-affiliated police locals in Connecticut. For decades, it stood as one of our longest-standing and most respected police locals.
For 56 years, Council 4 stood shoulder-to-shoulder with three generations of Torrington’s officers, at the bargaining table, in disciplinary proceedings, and in the halls of government. Together, we fought to secure fair contracts with competitive pay, protect due process rights, and strengthen benefits for the officers and their families. Together, we battled our fair share of arbitration fights and defended Torrington’s finest against senseless political attacks. Whenever Torrington’s officers needed backup, Council 4 was there.
But, in August 2023, the local union chose to leave AFSCME and join the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
In February 2026, under three years later, the officers of the Torrington Police Department have chosen to return to AFSCME. This momentous decision marks more than a change in affiliation. It represents the Torrington Police returning to a union home with a decades-long commitment to protecting those who protect Connecticut—the union that fights hardest to protect Connecticut’s heroes in uniform.
“Why They Came Back”
After under three years of representation by FOP, Torrington’s Police Officers realized what makes Council 4 the #1 Law Enforcement union in Connecticut: the services, representation, and dedication that Council 4 offers Connecticut’s law enforcement can’t be matched! Officers as first responders needed service from experienced labor attorneys for contract and pension negotiations, discipline matters, and daily labor representation.
Council 4 provides:
- Experienced labor attorneys to negotiate secure strong contracts and pension benefits.
- Aggressive legal defense and grievance representation. for grievances, MPPs, and interest arbitration.
- Statewide legislative advocacy to protect pensions, wages, and benefits, and legislative attacks on public safety employees. Council 4 membership includes membership in POACT, the largest public safety organization dedicated to lobbying issues directly affecting police officers.
- Unique training opportunities for police officers in daily representation, workers' compensation, and changes in the law.
- Seasoned attorneys for on-site representation at Officer Involved Shootings and membership in PORAC to provide a criminal attorney when needed.
- Strategic communications support when officers’ reputations and safety are on the line.
- A unified voice alongside more than 30,000 public service workers across Connecticut.
Every day, Torrington’s officers put on the badge knowing they may be called to run toward danger. They respond to violence, chaos, and crisis. They make split-second decisions that protect innocent lives. They face trauma that most people will never understand. They deserve a union that fights just as hard for them as they fight for their communities.
Council 4 understands that in today’s policing environment, the stakes are higher than ever. Nowadays, law enforcement officers need a union with the legal depth, bargaining power, political influence, and communications infrastructure to protect them when their careers, reputations, and livelihoods are on the line.
That is exactly what Council 4 provides. Council 4 is Connecticut’s largest law enforcement union because we deliver when it counts.
"Stronger Together”
Council 4 represents thousands of police officers and correction officers, and a total of more than 30,000 public service workers across Connecticut.
By returning to AFSCME Council 4, Torrington’s officers are standing with a statewide brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement professionals who understand the job, respect the sacrifice, and are ready to defend one another—and that means something.
When officers across Connecticut stand together under one banner, our voice carries further, and our impact is greater. It means that when we speak, policymakers listen. When we negotiate, municipalities take notice. When we defend our members, we bring the full weight of a statewide organization to the fight.
The return of Torrington’s officers strengthens not only their local union, but our entire statewide law enforcement membership. Every local that joins or rejoins Council 4 increases our collective leverage at the Capitol and at the bargaining table. It gives us the strength to protect our members from unfair discipline, political attacks, and efforts to weaken law enforcement.
We extend a sincere and enthusiastic “welcome back” to the officers of Torrington. AFSCME Council 4 has always believed that police officers deserve respect, fair treatment, and strong representation. We are honored that Torrington’s officers have once again placed their trust in us.
Now, without further ado, let’s get back to the fight!