State Rep. Greg Howard, R-43rd District, was appointed last week to the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee.

The committee was established in 2014 to evaluate policies related to the juvenile justice system and the expansion of juvenile jurisdiction to include persons 16 and 17 years of age. The committee has six working groups to find solutions and develop best practices in overseeing the juvenile justice system.

Howard, who is also a Stonington police detective, was appointed by state Rep. Mike France, R-42nd District, the ranking Republican on the legislature's Appropriations Committee.

 "I want to thank Rep. France for the confidence he has shown in me. With my many years of experience working in law enforcement and as youth sports coach, I think I can bring a unique prospective to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee," said Howard. "We must be willing to think outside the box to address the needs of our youth as to ensure they stay out of the system. And if they end up in the system how can we best assist them in finding their way out."