With an eye on boosting trooper staff levels, Connecticut lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a multi-year contract with the state police union that aims to lure new recruits, while incentivizing veterans to stay on the job.
Public safety commissioner James Rovella has emphasized the need for more troopers. He says a full staff would include 1,150. There are currently 877 on board.
Running through June, 2026, the contract significantly raises trainee pay (by 35%, to more than $67,000, by 2025) and hikes veteran troopers' salaries by 2.5% per year plus a $3,500 lump sum payment, along with enhanced benefits.
Proponents believe that those new terms put Connecticut in a stronger position to compete for personnel. "(The contract) does cure the things that we've heard about with respect to the initial salary," says Rep. Mike D'Agostino (D-Hamden), "the retention pieces, what we can do to make ourselves competitive, and we're doing that."
The deal heads to the desk of Gov. Ned Lamont (D) after passing 142-1 in the House and 35-1 in the Senate. Only Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-Wolcott) and Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) were opposed.
Sen. Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) calls the move a meaningful one: "It is something to say, 'I give you respect for the job you do,' but it is... flat out not respect if we don't provide them with a wage that they can live on."
Rep. Joe Polletta (R-Watertown) says that the contract sends a message to troopers "that we are with them, we hear what they are asking for, we are granting them the ok to continue their job, we hope that they stay in their job and that Connecticut remains a great place."
