Two Connecticut officers put on leave over handling of Black women’s deaths

Officers did not investigate the deaths of Lauren Smith-Fields and Brenda Lee Rawls in a timely manner or notify relatives

A Connecticut mayor has ordered two police officers placed on administrative leave amid scrutiny over the alleged mishandling of investigations of the deaths of two Black women.

According to family members, investigations into the deaths of Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, and Brenda Lee Rawls, 53, both on 21 December, were mishandled by officers who did not investigate in a timely manner or notify relatives.