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Winchester approves mutual-aid agreement with Torrington for road‑work policing
Summary
The Board of Selectmen unanimously authorized a mutual-aid agreement with the city of Torrington to allow Torrington officers to staff unfilled road‑work details (such as Eversource traffic control). Approval was conditioned on union review; the agreement is limited to road/traffic assignments under Conn. Gen. Stat. 7‑2277a.
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize a mutual-aid police assistance agreement with the city of Torrington that would let Torrington officers fill unstaffed road‑work traffic details in Winchester, such as those created by the upcoming Eversource project.
Town Manager (name not specified) told the board that Connecticut General Statute 7‑2277a authorizes municipalities to enter mutual‑aid arrangements for tasks like roadside construction or traffic posts and that the agreement is limited to road jobs: “This is solely meant for, if we needed to, Torrington officers to come here and be on our main street or any other road job that may kick off over the summer as well. Our officers will still be responding. Our Winchester PD will still be responding to those 911 calls.”
The town manager said the agreement is intended to prioritize Winchester officers for overtime assignments; if a shift remains unfilled it could be offered to Torrington. He also said the agreement was reviewed by the town attorney and by Torrington; the town attorney advised board approval is required under the statute.
Board members raised questions about the police union’s role. Selectman Candy Perez said the board could condition approval on union acceptance; the motion approved included a caveat that the town proceed if the local police union does not object. Town staff said the union membership had been briefed and that officers present expressed support because it would help keep local officers on local jobs rather than shifting entirely to state police coverage.
The board voted unanimously to authorize the town to enter the agreement and the town manager said he would notify the board after signing or if the union takes further action.
