Statement from State Representative Greg Howard, Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee & House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora on Governor Lamont’s Plan to Improve Police Recruitment; An Issue House Republicans Have Called Attention to For Years

Republicans have been sounding the alarm on this for years. And while Governor Lamont has danced around the problem before, today's recruitment announcement continues to avoid the hard truth about what's actually driving the crisis.

The problem is real, and it is self-created. Years of Democratic legislation and anti-law enforcement rhetoric have demoralized Connecticut's police. The results speak for themselves: the State Police projects nearly 20% of its force — roughly 175 troopers — could retire by 2027, and recruiting replacements has become increasingly difficult. It is no coincidence this crisis accelerated the moment Connecticut enacted its so-called police accountability legislation in 2020. Officers are walking away and telling their sons and daughters to avoid the career altogether.

Tuition waivers and housing assistance are nice, but carrots alone won't fix a culture that has treated officers as suspects rather than public servants. Real solutions require pairing recruitment incentives with an honest reckoning: restore balance, provide clarity and legal protection, and show genuine respect for the men and women keeping our communities safe.