Explanation of Bill

Explanation of Bill

This bill, titled "AN ACT CONCERNING POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION," proposes a number of measures to improve the recruitment and retention of police officers in the state of Connecticut.

Section 1 of the bill requires the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to develop a statewide campaign to promote the law enforcement profession. This campaign will utilize various media, including social media, to raise awareness and attract potential recruits.

Section 2 establishes the position of a full-time cadet or explorer program coordinator within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. This coordinator will oversee and implement police cadet or explorer programs, enforce state standards and best practices for these programs, and encourage the establishment and expansion of such programs throughout the state.

Section 3 creates a grant program to reimburse municipal police departments for the cost of basic training for police officers. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection will administer this program and provide information on eligibility and the application process on their website.

Section 4 instructs the Police Officer Standards and Training Council to examine criminal justice courses offered by colleges and universities in the state. The council will determine if any of these courses are equivalent to the courses required for basic training at the academy. If so, individuals who have completed these equivalent courses may be exempt from certain academy training requirements.

Section 5 amends the current law regarding the employment of police officers. It states that no person can be employed as a police officer for more than one year unless they have been certified or have been granted an extension by the council. The council may also establish additional qualifications for police officer employment. The section also clarifies that a person's non-citizen status shall not be a basis for denial of employment or certification if they are lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

Section 6 provides a grant to the top ten most populous municipalities in the state to increase the salaries of police officers serving in those areas. The grant funds must be used solely for increasing police officer salaries.

Sections 7, 8, and 9 amend the current law regarding tuition waivers for veterans, dependents of certain groups, and residents age 62 or older at community-technical colleges and state universities. The amendments add police officers and their dependents to the list of eligible individuals for tuition waivers.

Section 10 establishes a police officer loan reimbursement grant program administered by the Office of Higher Education. This program provides grants for police officers who have been employed in the state for at least ten years to reimburse their federal or state educational loans. The grants are up to 10% of the loans but not exceeding $5,000 per year, for a maximum of ten years. The reimbursement is only for loan payments made while the officer is employed as a police officer in the state.

Section 11 directs the State Retirement Commission to study and make recommendations for the development of a deferred retirement option plan for police officers. The commission will also study retirement medical benefits for police officers and their spouses and make recommendations for the provision of such benefits.

Section 12 requires the Governor to negotiate with the employee organization representing state police officers to establish conditions under which retired state police officers can return to service and resume earning retirement benefits. This provision aims to address officer shortages by incentivizing retiree re-entry.

Section 13 mandates that collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and employee organizations representing police officers permit retired officers who remain certified to return to part-time or full-time employment as police officers while collecting their pensions, to the extent allowed by state and federal laws and regulations.

Section 14 establishes a task force to study the volunteer police auxiliary force authorized under current law. The task force will make recommendations for improving the organization of the auxiliary force and maximizing its services. The task force includes various appointed members and will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.

Lastly, Section 15 appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, for the statewide campaign developed under Section 1 of the bill.

Rep. James Sanchez

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