Gardner police report staffing gains, municipal road-safety grant and body-camera rollout timeline

The police chief reported to the City Council on Oct. 17 that hiring has improved and that dispatch and animal-control staffing are more stable. The department received a $31,000 municipal road safety grant to support mobilizations, and the chief said the department is continuing to request electronic speed signs through grant funding.

The chief said the body-worn camera contract has been signed and that the goal is to deploy body cameras "no later than 01/01/2026," noting training and policy negotiations with unions remain part of the schedule. "It's currently in process, and my hope is to have body cameras deployed no later than 01/01/2026," the chief said.

The department is experiencing overtime pressure and reported it is near the budgeted overtime limit for the year; the chief said reimbursements for certain mobilizations and grants reduce net overtime costs but the gross overtime figure is rising. The chief also said a civil defense kitchen renovation will be completed using encumbered funds and grant monies and that the department is reviewing ADA issues and working with the building commissioner to finish the project correctly.

The chief announced the city will make its domestic violence advocate position full time after notification of grant funding and described the advocate as an existing staff member who has agreed to go full time. There was no formal council vote on new police spending at the Oct. 17 meeting.