Substitute House Bill No. 6863 (sHB6863), also known as File No. 372, is designed to enhance police officer recruitment and retention in Connecticut. The bill includes a mandate for the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to develop a state-wide campaign to promote the law enforcement profession, the establishment of a full-time cadet or explorer program coordinator role, and the allocation of $5,000 to each municipal police department with a cadet or explorer program. It also establishes a grant program for reimbursing municipal police departments for basic training costs and amends the general statutes to allow lawful permanent resident noncitizens to be employed as police officers. The bill provides grants to the top ten most populous municipalities to increase police officer salaries and includes tuition waivers at regional community-technical colleges for various individuals, including police officers and their dependents.

The bill also expands eligibility for tuition waivers at The University of Connecticut and other public colleges to include police officers with at least two years of service and their dependent children if the officer has at least five years of service. It establishes a loan reimbursement program for officers employed for at least ten years, with grants of up to $5,000 per year for up to ten years. The State Retirement Commission is tasked with studying retirement benefits for police officers, and the bill allows retired state police officers to return to service and earn retirement credit. A task force will be established to study the volunteer police auxiliary force. The bill's fiscal impact includes significant costs to the DESPP and potential revenue losses for higher education institutions due to tuition waivers. The effective dates for these provisions range from July 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, with some taking effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-81