State Police Union Files Grievance On New Gas Rules

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctstatepolicegas0514.artmay14,0,2512486.story

By SUSAN HAIGH | Associated Press
May 14, 2008

The state police union is challenging a new directive designed to reduce the department's gasoline consumption by prohibiting troopers from using state gas pumps on their days off.

A memo, distributed last week, allows troopers to fill up their cruisers at state pumps only while on duty.

Troopers are allowed to use those cruisers for personal trips and had been able to fill up on state gas for free, even on their days off. In exchange, they must always be on call.

The new policy was implemented after Gov. M. Jodi Rell ordered state agencies to reduce gasoline consumption by about 10 percent before June 30. She wants a 25 percent reduction in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The state Department of Public Safety said that it uses about 2.7 million gallons of gas each year, much of it in vehicles used by Connecticut's more than 1,200 troopers.

"On balance, we're hopeful we can make a tank last for the three days that they're not formally on duty," Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Danaher said on Tuesday, after a news conference kicking off this year's seat-belt enforcement campaign.

FULL story at link.