Governor Rell Announces Plans

For New Trooper Classes This Spring

45 New Recruits to Begin Training in March

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a class of 45 state police candidates will begin training in March helping to refill ranks trimmed by the state retirements this summer.

            “There are certain obligations a government absolutely must fulfill and none is more important than ensuring the well-being of our citizens,” Governor Rell said. “The retirement program will help the state realize much-needed savings in this down economy, but we cannot compromise our commitment to public safety. The new recruits will have the finest training in the nation and will help keep our highways and homes safe.”

            The Governor said more than 3,800 state employees retired on July 1 through the Retirement Incentive Program (RIP) that was part of the agreement the Governor negotiated with state employee unions. The agreement will save the state at least $700 million. The Department of Public Safety had 180 employees – civilian and sworn – retire this summer. The training class will be paid for by money that has previously been set aside for public safety.

The new class of recruits will be the 121^st Training Troop and will enter the State Police Academy in Meriden in March. They will spend approximately 1,400 in the classroom and many more hours training in physical conditioning, water rescue, driving and other specialized areas of police work. Upon graduation they will be assigned to one of a dozen State Police troop throughout the state.

The Connecticut State Police is the third largest police force in New England and the primary law enforcement provider in 82 of the state’s 169 municipalities.