Police chief warns current budget leaves department short-staffed; says he "can't do this next year"

Police Chief (identified in the transcript as Chief Bennett) told the Select Board and Advisory Committee that the police department's FY2026 request starts below last year's funding but that the department is already stretched thin and relying on overtime and part-time coverage to fill shifts.

The chief said several officers work extended hours because the department lacks sufficient full-time staff and that legal and safety standards limit extended part-time coverage; he described broader recruitment challenges for law enforcement across the region. "I can do this this year. I can't do this budget again next year," the chief said, describing a staffing situation that he called unsustainable.

Why it matters: Select Board members and residents raised concerns that extended shifts and low staffing increase risks to officers and residents, that call response times could suffer, and that relying on overtime and part-time hires is not a long-term staffing strategy. Board members and the chief discussed possible offsets — hiring additional full-time officers would increase salary costs, but might reduce overtime and premium pay costs elsewhere in the departmental budget.

Discussion and context: The chief and board members compared Templeton's officer-per-population ratio with neighboring towns, discussed post‑police‑reform training and certification requirements that now make part-time hires harder to recruit, and described the cost effects of arrests and transports that require additional personnel and court time. One board member suggested pursuing grant-funded officer hires as a temporary measure but noted the town would have to sustain positions after grant expiration.

Next steps and budget implications: Board members said they will consider options and noted this is a townwide fiscal choice: provide additional tax dollars to hire officers, accept lower service levels, or identify other savings. The chief said grants could help but stressed the need for a sustainable plan for staffing and operational costs.

Direct quote: "I can do this this year. I can't do this budget again next year," Chief Bennett said when asked about absorbing cuts.