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Charter reviewers weigh police commission overhaul: keep independent board, give board of selectmen oversight, or elect a five-member commission
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Summary
Commissioners discussed whether the police commission should remain independent, be folded into the board of selectmen, or be changed to a five-member elected body. Concerns included accountability, community representation, legal limits, and possible costs of restructuring.
Commissioners spent a substantial portion of the meeting debating the police commission's composition and oversight.
Options discussed included retaining the current independent commission, making the board of selectmen the police commission (or giving the board override power), or moving to a five-member elected police commission. Supporters of a five-member body argued it would broaden community representation and hearing different perspectives; opponents cautioned that changing the commission's makeup could be costly, confusing to voters and legally constrained by state statute that defines certain independent authorities.
Commissioners noted examples in other towns: Ridgefield has an elected five-member commission; Darien and Wilton use appointed three-member commissions. Members stressed the need to educate the public on the consequences of a structural change and suggested public hearings before any recommendation. No formal action was taken; the commission agreed to discuss the issue in more depth with the full commission and to gather comparative examples and legal guidance.
The discussion also covered whether traffic authority functions should remain with the police commission, shift to public works, or be addressed by ordinance rather than a charter change. Commissioners favored using ordinances for operational items unless a strong charter-level rationale emerged.
