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Brentwood adopts mandatory annual mental-health checkups for full-time officers, OKs counseling contract
Summary
The Select Board approved a department policy requiring annual mental-health consultations for full‑time police officers, adopted a companion contract with Seeds for Change Counseling PLLC, and approved a new written policy governing paid private details.
Brentwood Select Board on Jan. 28 adopted a new Police Department mental-health and wellness policy that requires annual mental‑health consultations for full‑time officers and approves a continuing contractual arrangement with Seeds for Change Counseling PLLC to provide the service.
The policy, titled AD‑118 Mental Health and Wellness Service Police Department, will require an annual one‑hour consultation with a licensed mental‑health clinician for full‑time officers; part‑time officers are strongly encouraged but not required to participate. The board also approved a separate detail policy to standardize how contractors book and pay for officer details and to set minimums and cancellation rules.
The mental‑health consultation program is intended as a routine check‑in and pathway to additional treatment when needed. Lieutenant Justin, who presented the policy to the board, said the provider, Wendy Rowe of Seeds for Change Counseling PLLC, “specializes in veterans and public safety” and will offer an hour‑long session and a vetted referral process for officers who need further care. Justin said the goal is to schedule consultations while officers are on duty where possible so shifts can be covered.
The mental‑health policy requires annual consultations and includes a policy review date of 2027. Board members questioned whether the policy should name an individual provider; they decided to keep the contract separate and edit the policy to refer to “the contracted counselor” so future providers can be used without updating the policy.
The board also voted to approve a contract with Seeds for Change Counseling PLLC. The contract is open‑ended with billing by session. The board confirmed it may end the contract without a cancellation fee and said the agreement should be reviewed annually.
Separately, the board approved a town detail policy that clarifies that contractors who book police details are responsible for paying for the hours they schedule, requires a 24‑hour cancellation notice or payment of a minimum, and gives the police chief discretion over how many officers are assigned to a detail for safety reasons. The board agreed to permit Brentwood firefighters who are certified flaggers to perform approved details under police coordination.
The Select Board approved the mental‑health policy and Seeds for Change contract by voice vote and adopted the detail policy as amended.
The board asked the police department to report back in about a year on participation and whether expanding the program to other first responders would be appropriate.
