The Union of Public Safety Committee received an update from the Gardner Police Department covering staffing, community outreach and technology rollout.

A police representative said one officer graduates tomorrow from the Holyoke Police Academy and will begin roughly 10 weeks of field training. Another officer is scheduled to graduate from the Marlborough Police Academy in January. Four recruits are completing final processes for an academy that begins March 2; if all complete their training and field work the department expects to return to full staffing late next year.

The representative outlined recent retirements — Officer Smith (retired Dec. 1), Detective Allard (retiring Jan. 20) and Sergeant Saint Peter (retiring Feb. 28) — and said two officers are on extended medical leave (one supervisor expected to return in January; the patrol officer’s return date unknown). The department attributed recent overtime peaks to the holiday season and overlapping leave schedules.

The committee was told the department’s domestic‑violence advocate became full‑time on Dec. 3; staff said follow-ups on domestic incidents now occur within hours or on the same day rather than multiple days later. The department also described continued post‑overdose follow-ups and outreach to people experiencing homelessness.

On equipment and transparency, the representative said the body‑worn camera program began Dec. 1 and within the first 10 days produced “hundreds of interactions” of varying length; staff said the program should help with transparency and liability management.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about staffing and towing during a recent storm; the police representative said three vehicles were towed during the storm and that compliance with winter parking measures appeared to vary by street. No formal action was taken on the police update.