In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing challenges faced by the local police department, particularly concerning staffing shortages and the associated costs of recruitment and training. The department has been operating short-staffed, leading to a loss of institutional knowledge and increased burnout among existing officers. The chief of police highlighted the significant impact of turnover, estimating that the cost of recruiting and training a new officer without experience is approximately $125,000, which includes around 1,700 hours of staff time over nearly a year.

To address these issues, the department proposed a wage increase of 11 to 5% for positions ranging from police officer to lieutenant, along with the removal of the requirement for officers to reimburse the town for fuel. This recommendation aims to retain experienced officers and improve morale within the department. The fiscal impact of these changes is projected to be $375,000 annually, with a smaller amount for the remainder of the current fiscal year.

Officials acknowledged the difficulty in retaining officers due to competitive salary structures compared to neighboring departments. The chief expressed optimism that the proposed changes would help mitigate the issue of officer retention, although the exact outcomes remain uncertain. The meeting concluded with a commitment to prioritize the well-being of critical response employees, including police and public works personnel, as the town strives to maintain a fully staffed department for the first time in a decade.