TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024
The Public Safety and Security Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. in Room 1B of the LOB and via Zoom. The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live. In addition, the public hearing may be recorded and broadcast live on CT-N.com. Individuals who wish to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. The registration form must contain the name of the person who will be testifying. A unique email address must be provided for each person registered to speak. Registration will close on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. Speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Public Safety and Security Committee website on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. under Public Hearing Testimony. If you do not have internet access, you may provide testimony via telephone. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at 860-240-5470 to leave your contact information. Please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form. The Committee requests that testimony be limited to matters related to the items on the Agenda. The first hour of the hearing is reserved for Legislators, Constitutional Officers, State Agency Heads and Chief Elected Municipal Officials. Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. The Committee encourages witnesses to submit a written statement and to condense oral testimony to a summary of that statement. All public hearing testimony, written and spoken, is public information. As such, it will be made available on the CGA website and indexed by internet search engines.
Our collective support for Raised Bill No. 421, "An Act Concerning Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention," currently under consideration in the Connecticut legislature. This bill addresses critical issues affecting law enforcement officers across our state and proposes significant measures to improve recruitment, retention, and support for our profession.
Raised Bill No. 421 encompasses several key provisions that are essential for enhancing the recruitment and retention of police officers in Connecticut. These include:
- Schedule of Bonuses: The bill proposes the implementation of a schedule of bonuses to be awarded to individuals upon entering service as police officers, as well as bonuses based on years of service. These incentives are vital for attracting new recruits and encouraging experienced officers to continue their careers in law enforcement.
- Housing Assistance: The bill seeks to enhance assistance available to police officers who wish to purchase a house as their principal residence in the community they serve. Access to affordable housing in the communities we police is crucial for fostering strong ties with residents and promoting community-oriented policing efforts.
- Deferred Retirement Option Plans (DROP): The State Retirement Commission is tasked with studying and making recommendations for the development of a deferred retirement option plan administered by the state. Such a plan would allow police officers statewide to participate and would provide valuable financial security for officers as they approach retirement.
- Retirement Medical Benefits: The bill also calls for a study of the types and levels of retirement medical benefits provided to police officers and their spouses in the state. This study will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that officers receive the necessary support and benefits upon retirement.
These provisions outlined show a genuine commitment to addressing the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in our respective communities we serve. By supporting this bill, we have the opportunity to make meaningful progress in strengthening our profession and ensuring the well-being of our members.
I urge each of you to lend your strong, favorable support by submitting written testimony. Your voices matter, and your testimony will play a crucial role in supporting the passage of this important legislation.
See the template below, copy and paste the text in a word document so that you can personalize by filling in the details relevant to your department and personal experiences. Your testimony is a powerful tool for effecting change and shaping the future of law enforcement in our state.