Bill Summary: SB 421 - Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention

• Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a statewide law enforcement recruitment campaign by January 1, 2025, using various media including social media, with $500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2025.

• Department shall employ a full-time cadet or explorer program coordinator and allocate $5,000 annually to each municipal police department operating or planning cadet or explorer programs.

• Department shall establish a grant program to reimburse municipal police departments for basic police officer training costs, with details posted by October 1, 2024.

• Provides tuition waivers at state universities and community colleges for police officers employed in Connecticut for at least two years and their dependent children (employed five years or more for children).

• Creates loan reimbursement grant program for police officers employed in the state for at least 10 years, providing up to $5,000 annually for up to 10 years to repay federal or state educational loans.

• Establishes three pilot programs: unmanned aerial vehicle assistance for law enforcement units, police officer mental health support programs, and a deferred retirement options study.

• Permits retired certified police officers to return to part-time or full-time employment while collecting pensions and allows salary increase grants to officers in the state's 10 most populous municipalities.