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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers have given final legislative approval to a bill that ultimately allows the state's community colleges to form special armed police forces to patrol the campuses.
The legislation cleared the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the final day of the legislative session. The bill, which already passed in the Senate, now moves to Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's desk.
Under the proposal, the special forces would be subject to approval from the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The officers would generally have the same powers as municipal police and must be certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System, has said students and teachers want the armed police because they don't feel safe on campus.
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