State reaches tentative agreement with police union

The state has reached a tentative labor agreement with the Connecticut State Police troopers union, Gov. Ned Lamont’s office announced Thursday.

Details of the agreement were not immediately released. Lamont’s office said the membership of the state police union, NP1, still need to review and approve the labor agreement.

If membership approves, the agreement will be sent to the General Assembly for a final vote.

The union represents the rank and file of the Connecticut State Police — troopers, sergeants and master sergeants. The agency is the largest police force in the state.

In a statement, Lamont said the contract recognizes troopers’ “dedication, hard work, and sacrifice,” and called it an “investment in the future of public safety in our state” that would incentivize top recruits to join the agency and help retain state police officers.

“Additional education, training and professional development benefits are provided under the terms of the agreement, while also recognizing the importance of work-life balance through annual health and wellness funding,” Lamont said.

In a statement, Todd Fedigan, the state police union president, said the agreement “recognizes the unique circumstances and dangers of our profession.”

“We are grateful to Gov. Lamont’s administration for their professionalism and commitment of ensuring our members are recognized for their dedication and sacrifice to preserving public safety here in Connecticut,” he added.

Commissioner James Rovella, a former Hartford chief of police who now heads the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which oversees the state police, said the contract “makes significant investments in recruitment, retention, and the pillars of wellness of our state police force.”

“I believe that we are providing benefits and wages that will attract the best candidates possible while recognizing the sacrifices of the men and women of the Connecticut State Police,” Rovella said.