Torrington police report seven-officer shortfall; patrols increased at new shelter

The Torrington Board of Public Safety heard Monday that the police department is operating with seven vacancies and is working to fill them while maintaining patrol coverage.

"We're currently down 7 officers," Chief Baldwin told commissioners, adding the department expects one recruit to graduate the academy on Dec. 17 and another to begin at the Waterbury Academy the next day. He said four officers are due to complete field training by the end of the month and that two conditional offers are outstanding. "We have right now 2 conditional offers that are out for, some of the vacancies that we're looking to fill," Baldwin said.

Baldwin highlighted community programs and recent assistance: the Pal Toy Drive is scheduled for Dec. 13 at the local Walmart, and the Litchfield County Business Partners Association donated $300 to the police explorer/cadet program. He also reported that a homeless shelter opened at Trinity Church on Dec. 1 and that "so far, there's been no issues," while the department has increased patrols and made officers visible at the site in coordination with shelter staff.

The chief did not provide a timeline for fully filling all vacancies and said the department continues recruitment and training efforts. The board voted to accept Baldwin's October reports without recorded opposition.

The department earlier accepted routine administrative reports and set subcommittees for personnel and policy work; the board also scheduled a joint meeting with the City Council on Dec. 15 for a public safety complex presentation.