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Commissioners question cost of police coverage at school events as recruitment continues
Summary
Commissioners and department leaders discussed staffing, new recruits, and whether the city should fund police coverage at school sporting events; the department will return cost estimates to the commission.
Commissioners at the Feb. 18 Laconia Police Commission meeting pressed the department for a cost estimate to provide visible police coverage at school sporting events after school districts signaled budget cuts.
Lieutenant Noyes reported that two recent recruits finished in‑house training and began field training, with others due to graduate from the academy April 24. The department expects to retain three vacancies after promotions and normal attrition, Noyes and Chief Canfield said.
A commissioner said cuts in school funding had led to reduced services at some events and asked for the cost to provide police presence at basketball and other games. Chief Canfield said the department will calculate and return a cost estimate, noting existing school resource officers are assigned from regular patrol time.
"We'll get you a cost on what that would be," Chief Canfield said when asked about annual coverage costs.
Commission discussion recognized the deterrent value of police visibility at school events but also noted the operational challenge of assigning on‑shift officers rather than using overtime or a funded contract. Commissioners did not vote on any new funding at the meeting and asked staff to present numbers at a future session.
