HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The union that represents police officers in Newtown, Conn., is pushing to make more help available for those who responded to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Attorney Eric Brown with AFSCME Council 15 says a handful of officers have been affected so severely by what they saw that they are not working. He says they have to use sick time and could soon be at risk of going without a paycheck.

Brown said Wednesday that the town and the union are asking the town's insurer to provide more assistance. The union is also reaching out to the governor's office and the legislature, where one Connecticut lawmaker says it will consider changes in state policy.

A gunman massacred 20 children and six adults at the school on Dec. 14.