Troop K Hours Reduction Rumored, Petition Started

A group of citizens has gotten together to create and sign a petition amongst rumors that the Troop K State Police Barracks in Colchester might be considered for consolidation of hours. The petition states: 

“We, the undersigned, are very concerned about the plan to consolidate Troop K in Colchester with other eastern Connecticut state police barracks, including the Danielson and Tolland barracks. We feel that this plan would jeopardize public safety and provide less security and police protection in our community. We ask that this plan be delayed at the least and hopefully reversed once the impact on how this move will affect our town can be determined.”

The plan is being reported as suggested by State Police Col. Danny Stebbins and calls for dispatch functions at 11 police barracks and Bradley International Airport to be consolidated. Under the plan, troopers handling dispatch calls will be placed back on patrol. 

Earlier this week, the state troopers union had a vote of no confidence in the department's administration, according to CT News Junkie.

Tracy Fox, a former Hartford Courant police reporter of 20 years, is advocating for public input into the decision making process of any potential changes to Troop K.

“We’re asking them to stop, take some time and study how this would affect public safety…they need to hold town meetings,” Fox, a Colchester resident, says.

“This has been done under the radar and everyone I have spoken to is in disbelief. For us, in these parts, the state police is our protection. We don’t have a local police department.” 

Paul Farley posted on the online petition webpage that "The consolidation of Troops C,D and K would involve at least 35 towns being covered by 1 dispatch center. It is impossible for a dispatcher to be become familiar with even the main businesses and locations of interest in this many towns."

Michael Spellman, a retired State Police Lieutenant who had commanded Troop K in the past, posted that to "eliminate an existing 24 hour facility located in Colchester with these operational factors in existence is extremely poor public policy."

According to Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police, “No troops are closing. The only change so far was movement of radios and phones to one area."

"Troops are staying and will be open," he said.

Fox says she felt powerless as resident and felt like “I had a right to bring these issues to light” through making it public. Read the full story, in her own words, here.

As of the publishing of this article, there are over 250 signatures on the online petition.

Currently, Troop K has 24-hour coverage with officers and troopers on duty around the clock. Troop K covers the towns of Colchester, East Haddam, East Hampton, Poartland, Marlborough, Hebron, Franklin, Lebanon, Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Willimantic, Windham and Salem.