April 24, 2001
(HARTFORD, Conn.) -- A bill making its way through the Connecticut Legislature would set manning levels for all state police barracks.
If the measure gets final approval, Gov. John Rowland is likely to veto it. But legislators say they want to put the governor and State Police on notice that more troopers are needed on patrol.
There are now 410 troopers assigned to patrol duties out of a total force of 1,166. The bill would require 67 to be reassigned to patrol, and critics say it would also force the state to pay thousands of dollars for overtime to meet the minimum staffing levels.
The appropriations committee released the bill Monday with support from both parties.