AN ACT CONCERNING REGIONAL POLICE FORCES.

SB 1489 allows municipalities with populations under 50,000 to form regional police forces by joining with other nearby towns or cities. It requires applicants to submit detailed plans on governance, finances, and public safety transitions to the Commissioner of Emergency Services, who must approve if the force is deemed sufficiently funded and effective. The bill establishes regional police authorities (with member-municipality representatives) to manage operations, set budgets, and hold annual public hearings, while also creating a state grant program to cover formation, transition, and operational costs - prioritizing towns with under 30,000 residents. Member municipalities jointly share liability and insurance costs based on population, and must annually report performance metrics like response times and crime statistics to the state and local officials.