A recently negotiated one-year wage reopener agreement for state police recently given initial approval by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is anticipated to cost roughly $8.2 million over the next two years.
The majority of the cost comes from a 2.5 percent general wage increase in 2026. A $70 million state police contract approved in January 2023 also increased wages for state troopers by 2.5 percent over three years and included a $3,500 bonus.
That contract cited chronic understaffing in Connecticut’s state police force as a reason for the increases. At the time, Connecticut State Police (CSP) had approximately 880 state troopers. Management said they needed 1,150 troopers to adequately staff shifts and reduce overtime spending. The number of troopers has not significantly increased since the previous contract was approved by the legislature in 2023.
The current deal, which was negotiated by Gov. Ned Lamont, is anticipated to cost the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) roughly $3.6 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, according to the Office of Fiscal Analysis.
Fringe benefits, which include Social Security, Medicare, retirement payments, and hazardous duty costs, are anticipated to cost the state comptroller’s office roughly $761,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $772,000 in fiscal year 2027. The majority of that comes from hazardous duty costs, roughly 11.7 percent, and Social Security costs, roughly 6.2 percent.
Because state law makes municipalities with resident state troopers in lieu of local police responsible for the cost of their pay and expenses, the new contract is also anticipated to have a roughly $300,000 cost to various towns across the state in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Municipalities are responsible for 85 percent of costs associated with the first two state troopers whose services they rely on and 100 percent of all costs for additional troopers.
On May 5, Senate members of the Appropriations Committee voted unanimously for a Senate resolution that would approve the contract.
“Senate Republicans very much appreciate the work done by our state troopers. Our State Police need to recruit – and retain – the best. They are currently short-staffed. These increases will help to address the staff shortage and continue to help them recruit top talent while keeping our communities safe.” read a statement put out by the Senate Republican caucus after the vote.
A Republican budget proposal released last week by the House GOP caucus included a proposed freeze on all state employee wages.
House of Representatives members of the Appropriations Committee voted 30 to 6 to advance a House resolution that would approve the contract.
Both resolutions now head to their respective legislative chambers for final approval.
Members of the Appropriations Committee praised the job done by state police, calling it a dangerous job and highlighting challenges caused by understaffing.
A recent study from WalletHub found that Connecticut is the second-best state for law enforcement. That rating is based in part on the number of hours of training police are required to complete before going on active duty. According to the report, the state requires 1,321 hours of basic training, the most in the nation, and an additional 400 hours of field training, the third-most in the country.
The study also found the state is very safe, with the third-lowest rate of police deaths per capita and the fourth-lowest share of officers who have been assaulted on duty. According to the study, this is partially due to Connecticut having low violent and property crime rates and low vehicle fatality rates.
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