Residents react to police raises

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- State Police supervisors in Connecticut just got a huge pay raise and it'll cost taxpayers millions of dollars. A contract giving captains and lieutenants raises of up to 56 percent was quietly approved.

While taxpayers disagree on the raises, the Governor and the State Police unions say it is long overdue. Some lieutenants News 8 spoke with say they haven't had a raise in 7 years.

So starting retro active to January 1st, captains' pay will start at $128,000 and range to $136,000 a year, up from about $82,000 to $105,000. Lieutenants will make $113,600 to $121,600 a year, up from $73,000 to $93,000.

While that may seem like a lot, union members say many troopers and sergeants make more than their superiors.

"I wouldn't begrudge them the money at all, especially the line of work they are in," said Kevin Kearney, of Hartford. "I would not have an issue with it. If they could get a raise intermittently that would match the cost of living raise, I don't have a problem with that."

"Look at the situation to the country right now," said Muhammad Afzal, of Hartford, "they should spend the money on unemployment. People don't have jobs, think about those people too, you know? They at least have a job and are surviving good."

It will cost about $450,000 this fiscal year and more than $1 million next year to give the raises to the 39 captains and lieutenants on the force.

"That seems pretty steep in these economic times," said Paul Martell, of Hartford. "They probably deserve a raise, but not that much."