Troopers gunning for more manpower

(WTNH) - The Connecticut State Police have about 125 state troopers less than they did just a few months ago, but are those numbers putting public safety at risk?

Trooper Mark Roberts is patrolling a bigger area these days now that six resident troopers out of the Montville barracks have retired.

"Regular patrol troopers are taken off the road to cover those towns for the time being which kind of thins out the manpower," Roberts said.

But Roberts says they lost more than manpower.

"The biggest loss that we've had is loss of experience," he said.

In all, state police say 125 troopers took retirement packages reducing ranks to 1,148 - a hundred less than the 1,248 required state minimum.

"This is an area where we cannot do more with less," said Steven Rief, CT State Police Union.

But the governor's office says that's what the state has been doing for years and it was, "Under Governor Rell, state trooper ranks have steadily increased and as of this past February - with 1,283 sworn officers - were at the highest staffing level in over a decade."

Not only do troopers want to meet the required minimum but they want to exceed it, especially in Montville where between 2003 and 2007 one of every six DUI investigations were performed.

"It is absolutely frightening how many drunks we have coming from the casinos," said Sen. Edith Prague (D-Coventry).

The union is asking Gov. Rell for 80 new recruits; she is proposing 45. Lawmakers may meet in the middle with a suggested 60.

"We understand that there is a need to get as close as we can to the statutory mandated number," said Sen. Toni Harp (D-Appropriations Committee).

"We would welcome a class of 60, that's certainly more than 45, still far short of the mark but it's a step in the right direction," Rief said.

North Stonington would welcome any help it can get. All three of its resident troopers retired.

"One of the troopers that was assigned temporarily, it was only supposed to be a month for the process, he retired also," said Nick Mullane (D-North Stonington).