Police Committee Minutes 10-6-2023

Police Committee Minutes 10-6-2023

RUTLAND TOWN SELECT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING

POLICE COMMITTEE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 6^th, 2023

The Police Committees of the Rutland Town Select Board met at 11:00 AM on Friday October 6^th, 2023, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present was Select Board Chair Mary Ashcroft, Select Board Member Matt Getty, Town Police Chief Ed Dumas, Town Deputy Police Chief Ted Washburn, and Town Administrator Bill Sweet.

1. Reviewed call statistic percentages for the Town related to calls specifically on the south end of the Town. There have been over 1000 calls this year with 84% being on the south end.
   1. Officers have been added since the start of the pandemic, but it is still not enough to deal with all the issues experienced.
   2. Chief Dumas estimates 2 additional full-time officers would be needed to handle calls.
2. Discussed costs for acquiring and equipping new officers. It is estimated the total cost would be $135,000 per officer including training costs.
3. Discussed offering a sign-on bonus for someone who is already trained, which would shorten the timeline to have an officer available.
4. There are additional administrative costs associated with the increase in call volume as well.
5. A new cruiser has been ordered for Chief Dumas. Discussed keeping the cruiser he has currently to be used for any future officers. The car was going to be sold with proceeds used to offset future costs. After discussion, the car will be kept for future staff needs.
6. Discussed payroll process for the Police Department. Our HR consultant had some questions.
7. Had a preliminary discussion on the budget for the next fiscal year.
   1. Discussed adding the costs for new officers to the budget.
   2. For long-term planning this is appropriate.
8. The car assigned to the School Resource Officer is the next car to be replaced. Discussed keeping it for future officers. The Chief and Deputy Chief are in favor of keeping it, but it would need some equipment updates.
9. Discussed moving the Constable budget lines from the general budget to the Police budget.
   1. No decision was made, it will be discussed at future meetings.
10. Reviewed the balance of pending committee agenda topics and updated the list.
11. The next meeting will be planned for October 10^th at 11AM.

The meeting adjourned at 1:02 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet