Ridgewood Police report rising calls, new licensing and training mandates that drive 2025 budget ask

Ridgewood — Ridgewood Police Chief Lyons told the Village Council Thursday that calls for service rose about 10.3% from 2023 to 2024 and that new state licensing, training and evidence‑management requirements are adding time and expense to department operations.

Lyons said calls increased from roughly 23,002 in 2023 to about 25,006 in 2024 (an increase of approximately 2,368 calls, or 10.3%), and that many calls involve repeat offenders. The chief said statewide regulatory changes have created a “seismic” shift in policing work — new licensure through the Police Training Commission, expanded mandated training hours and additional administrative obligations — that require officers to spend more time off patrol in training and documentation.

Because the department is short several officers, the chief explained, required training frequently occurs on days‑off and contributes to overtime spending. Lyons said the department has three officers currently in the academy and expects others through alternate routes, but recruiting remains difficult. He reported accreditation work and an evidence audit as added, one‑time obligations for 2025.

Finance staff explained a reclassification of vehicle expenses: police vehicle leasing and related outfitting are being moved from capital into the operating budget (lease payments and outfitting costs are reflected in operating lines rather than debt-funded capital), which increases the department’s 2025 operating request. The chief and the finance director also noted contractual increases in crossing‑guard services — the contract rose, they said, because of market pressures and required staffing increases — and the department is budgeting for that higher cost.

Lyons said Ridgewood continues to support School Resource Officers (SROs) at the request of the Board of Education and will work with the district if the board funds additional SRO slots; funding and salary responsibility for additional SROs remains a Board of Education decision. Council members stressed the value of existing SROs and discussed working with the school to expand the program.

Councilors asked the chief for additional data on staffing counts and retirements; Lyons confirmed the authorized force goal of 49 officers and said turnover timing makes hitting that target a multiyear effort. No formal council vote was taken on the police budget Thursday.