HOWARD SUPPORTS RECRUITMENT BILL, URGES STRONGER SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND FIRE
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Greg Howard backs HB 5046 to offer tuition and housing incentives for first responders
- Bill creates tuition waivers at CSCU and UConn and mortgage aid via Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
- Departments and unions — DESPP, Police Chiefs Association, Police & Fire Union — testified in favor
- Howard urges broader reforms beyond incentives to address morale, staffing, and respect for officers
(HARTFORD, CT) – On Tuesday, State Representative Greg Howard, Ranking Member of the Connecticut General Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee, voiced support for advancing House Bill 5046, while emphasizing that more must be done to fully support Connecticut’s police officers and firefighters.
“Recruitment and retention remain difficult challenges for departments across our state,” said Rep. Howard, a 24-year veteran of the Stonington Police Department. “Providing tuition assistance and housing incentives is a step in the right direction, and I appreciate the effort to recognize the sacrifices these men and women make every day.”
The bill establishes tuition waivers within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Connecticut for eligible police officers, paid and volunteer firefighters, and students attending the state fire school in coordination with regional technical colleges. The additionally, establishes a mortgage assistance program through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to help police officers and paid and volunteer firefighters purchase homes in the communities they serve.
However, Howard cautioned that incentives alone will not solve deeper issues facing law enforcement and fire service personnel.
“While these programs may help attract new recruits, we are still not doing enough to address the day-to-day realities facing our police officers and firefighters,” Howard continued. “Morale, staffing shortages, the growing demands placed on our first responders continue and the continued vilification of law enforcement by some state leaders strain many departments. We need to ensure they have the resources, backing, and respect necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Howard also pointed to the need for broader policy discussions around public safety support.
“If we are truly serious about strengthening public safety, we must do more than financial incentives and take a hard look at how state policies impact recruitment, retention, and overall job satisfaction,” Howard added. “Our police officers and firefighters deserve not only our gratitude, but meaningful action that supports them both on and off the job.”
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Police & Fire Union all testified in favor of the proposal during the public hearing phase.
House Bill 5046, An Act Supporting Firefighter and Police Officer Recruitment and Retention, was approved unanimously by the committee and now moves forward in the legislative process.