(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is presenting a legislative proposal to the Connecticut General Assembly this session that will establish two new incentives benefitting state and local police officers and firefighters with the goal of encouraging more individuals to seek careers in these important public safety fields and help retain those who are already serving.
“Police officers and firefighters are the backbone of the safety of our neighborhoods, and it is imperative that we have strategic recruitment and retention policies that build robust and adequately staffed firefighter and police forces,” Governor Lamont said. “In particular, I believe that police officers and firefighters should be able to afford to live and purchase a home in the towns they serve, which is why I want to create a mortgage program that would be specifically focused on achieving that objective.”
The first incentive will waive the tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate programs at all Connecticut public colleges and universities (UConn, the Connecticut State University System, and Connecticut State Community College) for state and local police officers and firefighters with five or more years or service, as well as students attending the Connecticut Fire Academy.
The second incentive will create a mortgage assistance program specifically tasked with helping these public safety professionals purchase homes in the communities they were hired to protect. Under the proposal, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority will be responsible for developing the terms of this program and administering it. The types of assistance offered could include down payment support or any other appropriate housing subsidies.
Last year, Governor Lamont approved an agreement with the Connecticut State Police Union that provided pay increases for all Connecticut State Police troopers.
Governor Lamont’s proposed legislation is House Bill 5046, An Act Supporting Firefighter and Police Officer Recruitment and Retention. The bill is currently being considered by the Public Safety and Security Committee, which is expected to schedule it soon for a public hearing.
**Download: Fact sheet on Governor Lamont’s police officer and firefighter recruitment and retention proposal