Connecticut Senate Bill SB00085

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/15
• Refer: 1/15/15

Caption

An Act Concerning The Cost Of Certification For A Police Officer.

Impact

This bill could significantly affect the financing of police training programs and may incentivize law enforcement agencies to retain their officers for longer periods. By requiring reimbursement, the bill could alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by police departments when investing in the certification of their officers. Additionally, it promotes a culture where police departments may prioritize officer retention and consider the costs associated with turnover. The impact on state laws includes potential revisions in how training budgets are allocated and managed within police departments across the state.

Summary

SB00085, an Act Concerning The Cost Of Certification For A Police Officer, aims to establish a financial reimbursement structure for law enforcement units related to the certification costs of police officers. The bill stipulates that when a police officer obtains certification while employed by a law enforcement agency and is subsequently hired by another agency within four years, the new employer must reimburse the officer's previous employer for the costs incurred during the officer's certification training. The reimbursement amount varies, depending on the length of time between certification and hiring, with different percentages allocated for different time frames.

Contention

The discussions regarding SB00085 may center around the fairness and practicality of financial reimbursements between law enforcement units. Concerns could arise regarding how this impacts smaller police departments with limited budgets, especially if they frequently lose officers to larger agencies. Critics might argue that this bill could unintentionally hinder inter-agency mobility for police officers, thus restricting career advancement opportunities. Proponents, however, may defend the bill as necessary to ensure that the initial investment made by many law enforcement units in training their officers is protected.