Police report: department near full staff, seeks camera access; detective certified by National Forensic Academy

Chief Terry told council the police department is effectively full on paper pending one candidate finishing state certification and another completing hiring; he said fuller staffing should reduce some recurring costs. He highlighted the department's community engagement — increasing from 24 events in 2022 to 52 last year — and noted a department fundraising effort raised $5,300 for a trauma intervention program.

On technology, the chief requested funds for a networked license‑plate camera system—described in the meeting as a "flock" camera network—saying, "That would be about $15,000 to install 4 cameras." He explained the system would provide broader search access to regional cameras and supports real‑time alerts for plates of interest, and staff said they would develop a policy requiring case numbers for searches and monthly audits by a supervising detective sergeant.

Council also heard a detailed presentation from Detective Sergeant Ron Diaz about his attendance at the National Forensic Academy, a 10‑week intensive program the town funded last year. Diaz described hands‑on instruction across multiple forensic disciplines (fingerprint development, bloodstain pattern analysis, shooting reconstruction, forensic anthropology and entomology, digital evidence and interview techniques), and said the training "certified me as a crime scene investigator." He told council the class allowed him to practice field recovery and lab techniques and to develop peer contacts he can call on in out‑of‑jurisdiction cases.

Chief and Detective Diaz said the training improves in‑house evidence processing and trial readiness and that Diaz will help train other officers and investigators.

Council members thanked the officers for the training investment and discussed whether the department should send additional personnel for similar training in future budget cycles.