Let’s boost incentives for police

The new year is here, and I cannot believe how quickly 2023 went by. As a freshman senator, I made a commitment to take action to protect the Connecticut community and pass common sense legislation. I am proud of the work accomplished but I am also using it as a starting point. My first legislative session taught me that there is much work to be done on behalf of the residents of our great state. I am tremendously grateful for this incredible opportunity to be a voice while exploring potential solutions to a myriad of complex challenges.

Stepping into the next legislative session, I will work alongside my colleagues to address further proposals that work to better our community. One being incentives for our officers. They do a herculean job protecting our residents, and they deserve not just the recognition for their selfless service, but we must explore more global incentives to demonstrate our respect and commitment to our law enforcement officers and their families.

Incentivizing officers with residency is a concept I would like to explore. Tax credits and homeowner support can emerge as an attractive tool to encourage our first-responders to work hard and diligently. Tax credits, for instance, offer a financial reprieve that not only eases the burden of residence but also incentivizes long-term commitment. Too often, we see a high turnover rate with officer employment. It is my goal to find a solution to employee retainment within the police force. Similarly, a tax rebate can serve as a form of financial recognition, acknowledging the sacrifices made by police officers in their community. With these incentives in mind, I am doing a deep dive into the practices of other states to explore how we might put together an intelligible and comprehensive plan to do something progressive and fiscally responsible.

For example, a tax rebate increases a police officer’s take-home pay, providing immediate relief financially. It will also contribute to higher retention rates within law enforcement agencies. When officers feel financially valued, it positively impacts morale and makes them more likely to stay in their role long-term.

Moreover, a third incentive I would like to strongly consider is homeowner down payment support. Providing down payment support empowers employees to establish roots within the community they serve. When living in a particular town in Connecticut, a home offers stability and a vested interest in the municipality’s growth and development.

Competitive pay is also essential for attracting and retaining individuals in law enforcement. Increasing the pay of municipal officers helps to ensure the police force is staffed by skilled professionals, contributes to overall job satisfaction, reduces turnover, and reduces financial stress. Increasing the pay of inner-city officers is of paramount importance as there are greater risks associated with the job given the unique and complex public safety challenges faced by officers daily. Inner-city police departments often face recruitment challenges. Increasing pay makes these positions more attractive to qualified candidates.

Our officers put themselves out in the community to protect others as they face potential risks of their own. They may ask themselves, is this job worth it? I want to make sure it is. They are deserving of financial compensation on top of other incentives that may provide long-term stability. I will work hard to make sure police officers are treated fairly for the hard work they do on a day-to-day basis.

While I know we cannot do everything, that is certainly not an excuse to do nothing. I have asked my colleagues from both sides of the aisles to join me as Public Safety chair to stand in solidarity with our officers around this critical issue surrounding law enforcement compensation. With the help and support from my colleagues, I know we can begin to move the needle on this worthwhile initiative.