State Rep. Weir Supports State Police Contract, Joins Caucus in Offering Proposals to Improve Public Safety

HARTFORD – On a day when the House of Representatives vote on pay raises for Connecticut State Police, State Representative Steve Weir (R-55) joined his House Republican colleagues to propose additional measures aimed at rectifying several issues included within the “police accountability” bill.

Rep. Weir said supporting the contract is just the first step in the legislature doing more to retain police officers statewide by offering more competitive pay, increase the recruitment of individuals into the law enforcement field, and improve morale. Since 2010, the number of state police officers has dwindled from more than 1,100 to its current number of 888.

The four-year contract voted on by the legislature would address overtime, pay increases, changes to stipends, trainee pay, and other related matters.

“I voted to approve the new state police contract that carries as $70 million dollar price tag, which will be paid for by the taxpayers of Connecticut,” Rep. Weir said. “While I never take fiscal matters lightly, we are experiencing a law enforcement shortage which is approaching crisis status. Our trooper shortage plus the safety of our residents is at risk due in part to the passage of the “police accountability” bill. I hope that increasing trooper pay will be one of many actions taken to show our support for law and order in our communities.”

The House Republican proposals, HB-5361,  HB-5362, and HB-5363, would seek to restore an officer’s ability to perform consent searches during motor vehicle stops, protect law enforcement officers and municipalities in cases that involve qualified immunity, evaluate the use of force, allow police pursuit of property crime offenses, and create a fund to compensate families of officers who are killed in the line of duty to name a few.

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