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Police, Firefighters Urge Mandatory Municipal Pensions and Broader PTSD Coverage at Labor Committee Hearing
Summary
Municipal police and firefighters told the Labor & Public Employees Committee that lack of defined‑benefit pensions and tight workers'‑comp rules for post‑traumatic stress injury are driving recruitment and retention problems and harming public safety; municipal leaders warned a statewide mandate would impose significant local costs.
Senator Julie Kushner convened the Labor and Public Employees Committee on Thursday as dozens of police officers, firefighters and union leaders testified in support of two bills aimed at stabilizing public safety staffing and expanding mental‑health coverage for first responders.
Stratford police officer Omar Jimenez told the committee, “I stand before you once again alongside my fellow officers to set to testify on the critical importance of a pension for police officers,” saying a lack of retirement security was driving colleagues to leave for municipalities that offer defined‑benefit plans. Union and line officers described a steady exodus from non‑pension towns and warned that smaller departments are left with inexperienced crews and reduced institutional knowledge.
Advocates said mandatory pensions would boost…
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