Senator Wants More State Police Troopers
State Senator Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset) today introduced two bills that would increase the number of State Police troopers and keep the department as close to full strength as possible.
“While State Police officers have done an admirable job tackling expanded responsibilities with fewer resources, it is imperative that we take steps to assure that there are an adequate number of troopers patrolling our highways and communities,” Kasunic said.
His two bills would:
· raise the State Police compliment from 4,310 to 5,000; and
· mandate that a new State Police cadet class be formed if the total number of troopers falls 5 percent or more below the department’s compliment.
Both measures would exempt troopers assigned to casinos, liquor enforcement or the Delaware River Bridge Authority from being counted toward the compliment.
Kasunic said the State Police is currently 260 officers under its 4,310 complement. He said patrol responsibilities have grown during these difficult economic times because many local police departments have disbanded or gone part-time. Making matters worse, many troopers have been moved in recent years from patrol duty to newer mandated work ranging from administering various criminal databases to policing at casinos.
The Dunbar lawmaker added that the department will soon face a spike in retirements. He said a third of all current troopers were hired from 1991-1994. Most of them will reach their 20-year retirement eligibility over the next three years.
“At some point, police response time worsens, the quality and timeliness of criminal investigations suffers and the safety and security of citizens is compromised,” Kasunic said.
“Even though the state faces very difficult budget challenges, public safety is not a line item we can afford to cut.”
Kasunic said he will continue to seek ways to provide a consistent and reliable funding source to fully staff the State Police. He added that he wants to assure that troopers are fully equipped and operate as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible.
“While State Police officers have done an admirable job tackling expanded responsibilities with fewer resources, it is imperative that we take steps to assure that there are an adequate number of troopers patrolling our highways and communities,” Kasunic said.
His two bills would:
· raise the State Police compliment from 4,310 to 5,000; and
· mandate that a new State Police cadet class be formed if the total number of troopers falls 5 percent or more below the department’s compliment.
Both measures would exempt troopers assigned to casinos, liquor enforcement or the Delaware River Bridge Authority from being counted toward the compliment.
Kasunic said the State Police is currently 260 officers under its 4,310 complement. He said patrol responsibilities have grown during these difficult economic times because many local police departments have disbanded or gone part-time. Making matters worse, many troopers have been moved in recent years from patrol duty to newer mandated work ranging from administering various criminal databases to policing at casinos.
The Dunbar lawmaker added that the department will soon face a spike in retirements. He said a third of all current troopers were hired from 1991-1994. Most of them will reach their 20-year retirement eligibility over the next three years.
“At some point, police response time worsens, the quality and timeliness of criminal investigations suffers and the safety and security of citizens is compromised,” Kasunic said.
“Even though the state faces very difficult budget challenges, public safety is not a line item we can afford to cut.”
Kasunic said he will continue to seek ways to provide a consistent and reliable funding source to fully staff the State Police. He added that he wants to assure that troopers are fully equipped and operate as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible.
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