Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police And Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sanford police report large drops in Part I crimes; commission to consider new FOP pay agreement at regular meeting
Summary
Chief Cecil Smith reported a 14.3% drop in Part I crimes in 2024 and further reductions year-to-date; commissioners praised community engagement and training. The commission was told an FOP agreement raising starting pay would be presented for approval at the regular meeting.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith delivered the department’s annual overview at the June 9 work session, reporting reductions in Part I crimes and describing training, technology and community-outreach initiatives. Commissioners heard that the department earned re-accreditation with an “Excelsior” ranking and increased proactive enforcement, which the chief said contributed to the reductions.
Chief Smith said Part I crimes fell 14.3% in 2024 compared with 2023, and that year-to-date comparisons as of June 8 show a 19% reduction versus the same point last year. The department handled roughly 112,000 calls for service in 2024, the chief said, and expanded community engagement: more walk-and-talks, a community activity trailer, school safety K-9 sweeps and drone deployments. Smith described stepped-up traffic enforcement: hard-ticket citations rose substantially and targeted operations addressed DUI, aggressive driving and pedestrian safety.
Smith also highlighted internal goals and investments: more community-service officers (9 full-time CSOs), peer support and wellness efforts, cold-case reviews aided by forensic advances, and nearly 8,500 hours of department training in 2024. He described grant funding used for vests, barricades, de-escalation training and other equipment.
During the session the chief said negotiations with the police union had concluded and that an agreement with the FOP would be placed on the commission’s regular meeting agenda for approval; the chief said the negotiated package would raise starting pay and was intended to improve recruitment and retention. Commissioners praised the department’s visibility and suggested continued public communication about trends and program effects.
No final labor contract vote occurred during the work session; the commission was advised that the agreement would be before them at the regular meeting for formal action.
