State Police Forces Shrink

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Glad to see this is getting some attention. Although I don't forsee many states rushing to address this anytime soon, if ever.

State Police Forces Shrink

Monday, November 16, 2009

BY LARRY COPELAND

USA TODAY

The number of highway patrol officers has shrunk in a dozen states in the past 13 years and failed to keep pace with population gains in others, leaving stretches of highways unpatrolled during late-night and early-morning hours, a USA TODAY analysis of federal and state data finds.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-15-troopers_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

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Unfortunatley I agree that this probably won't be addressed. Unless the fatal accident numbers start to climb again.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Connecticut State Police has actually hired 2 classes in the past year, but at the same time they have a TON of Troopers retiring. As a result I don't know the balance of lost/gained manpower, but they seem to be at least trying to keep up. The only units that have suffered are the Traffic Division's Truck Squad (commercial enforcement is also done by the DMV Inspectors, who are armed police officers, so this unit was in the process of being disbanded) the Airport Troop (Troop W I believe at Bradley, manpower cuts but not completely eliminated) and I'm pretty sure the Casino Unit got shortened as well, as the Tribes have PDs of their own, I'm sure Izzy knows more than me.

[dadbo46 50]

Over the next several years, we are going to see a reduction of all government services. Reductions in funding for emergency services, highways, public transit, health services and public utilities (water, sewers, etc.), among others, will all face significant reductions.

These changes are the result of the economy and voter revolt over taxes.

Get ready....this is just the start.