CT bill nixes trooper staffing standard

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's administration wants to scrap a state mandate that requires the Connecticut State Police to have a minimum of 1,248 troopers on staff.

A bill filed on behalf of the Democratic governor eliminates the minimum staffing level, which was imposed in a 1998 state law.

Malloy spokesman Andrew Doba called the statute "arbitrary" and said Thursday that no other law enforcement agency in the state government, such as the Department of Correction, has a minimum staffing requirement.

He said Malloy's legislation calls for a bi-annual needs assessment to determine the correct number of troopers.

A judge recently sided with the Connecticut State Police Union, which is attempting to require the state to adhere to the minimum staffing level. As of last month, there were only 1,080 troopers.