Buckbee Supports State Police Contract, Additional Measures Aiding Law Enforcement

Hartford – The House of Representatives convened on Wednesday to act on an updated bargaining agreement with the state police force. State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) voted in support of the contract, which was approved by a final vote tally of 142 – 1.

“The Connecticut State Police recruitment and retention has been quickly declining. This contract won’t fix all the issues associated with low morale or reverse the pieces of partisan legislation that have made policing a much tougher job than it already is. It is, however, a necessary first step in rebuilding the ranks and ensuring our women and men in blue are provided with adequate compensation and resources,” said Buckbee.

The contract increases state trooper salaries and available resources for work-related training. It will apply to the force’s 888 troopers.

In addition to the support of the state police contract, Buckbee has indicated he will be supporting additional measures that help law enforcement. These measures include:

• Protecting law enforcement and municipalities from being forced to settle in qualified immunity cases because any denial under current law bars them from appealing that decision until after jury decision. (HB 5361)
• Evaluating the use of force from the perspective of a reasonable officer in the same situation, based on the totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time, rather than with the benefit of hindsight, and that the totality of the circumstances shall account for occasions when officers may be forced to make quick judgments about the use of force. (HB 5361)
• Providing clarity and list circumstances under which police can be decertified for undermining public confidence. (HB 5362)
• Restoring the ability for police to request consent searches during motor vehicle stops when there is reasonable suspicion of a crime. (HB 5361)
• Requiring P.O.S.T. to rewrite the police pursuit policy to allow pursuit of property crime offenses. (HB 5361)
• Creating a special account for families of officers killed in action. (HB 5363)

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