Brentwood approves police budget as new chief outlines recertification plan and staffing gaps
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Summary
Newly hired Police Chief Murch told the select board he has completed major training milestones and is scheduled to seek full-time certification Dec. 12; the board approved a budget that trims part-time posts, adds a lieutenant and sets staffing targets while members raised concerns about coverage and the town's 4% budget cap.
Brentwood select board members on Monday approved a $1.00 million–plus police budget after hearing Police Chief Murch's update on his certification and staffing plans.
Chief Murch told the board he completed annual training requirements including a four-hour use-of-force class, pistol and rifle qualifications, low-light training, a 40-hour field training period with Sergeant Spitleri, and an array of recertification courses. "I've done a ton of required training," he said, and said he is scheduled to appear before the Police Standards and Training Council on Dec. 12 to pursue full-time certification through a "law package" of four or five academy training days.
The budget the board approved reduces department spending by about $130,460 (a 9.69% decrease from last year largely driven by eliminating part-time positions), defers a cruiser purchase and removes the current K-9 program allocation. Chief Murch said eliminating part-time weekend coverage reduced costs by roughly $55,000, while proposing a lieutenant position budgeted with a $95,000 salary and reflecting a $112,000 increase in the salary line to cover the chief's pay and a lieutenant if approved. He said his goal is a fully staffed force of nine (including supervisory positions) to provide routine coverage without excessive overtime or reliance on temporary help.
Board members debated whether adding a lieutenant now was appropriate given the town's 4% operating-budget cap and recent turnover in part-time staffing. One member said a second-in-command is necessary "so the chief isn't constantly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," while others worried a new permanent position would be difficult to restore if cut later. Several members praised the chief's early efforts to reestablish mutual-aid relationships with neighboring agencies and the state police.
After discussion the board moved and approved the budget as presented. The board also agreed to pursue follow-up personnel matters in nonpublic session. The chief said he will provide requested paperwork (such as forms filed for reinstatement) to Town Administrator Julie and will confirm whether a board representative should accompany him to the Police Standards council meeting.
What's next: Chief Murch is scheduled to appear before the Police Standards and Training Council on Dec. 12 as part of the certification process; select board members asked for written confirmation of the paperwork on file and said they would track staffing and recruitment progress.
