New Canaan Police Commission reviews FY27 budget, approves training and invoices; chief reports staffing gains

The New Canaan Police Commission at its March 18, 2026 meeting reviewed the fiscal 2027 budget path, approved routine personnel and invoice items, and heard monthly operational reports from the chief.

The chief told commissioners the department has presented the FY27 budget to the Board of Finance with "no push back" and expects to present to the Town Council around March 26. He said the department is about 62% through its overall budget year to date, a level he described as appropriate for this point in the fiscal year. The chief noted service-contract line items were increased in the FY27 proposal—citing roughly $100,000 in service contracts—and said some IT service contracts are moving from the town IT budget into the department's budget because of department-specific security requirements.

On personnel and training, the commission approved a request for Officer Conley to take a winter 2026 professional career development course with the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology. The commission also approved the monthly invoice package the town staff sent to the three commissioners; an additional invoice received that evening for Stan Galeno was added to the package. The transcript records inconsistent figures for that invoice (the chair initially referred to $450, then others referenced $205); the commission approved the invoices by voice vote.

In the chief’s monthly operational report the department said vehicle thefts have remained about the same in recent days, staffing was about 63% on duty for February with one recent academy graduate beginning field training and another officer expected to return from extended injury leave, and enforcement efforts are focusing on crosswalk violations and bicyclist safety. The chief also said accounts receivable and false-alarm metrics have improved in recent months.

Procedurally, the commission approved minutes from the January 21 regular meeting and the February 26 special session, moved into executive session to discuss hiring, returned and extended an offer to the candidate (see separate article), and adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved minutes for January 21 and February 26, approved Officer Conley’s course enrollment, approved the invoices and reimbursements package (including the additional invoice), voted to enter executive session, and voted to extend the employment offer to the candidate; all actions were approved by voice vote as recorded in the transcript.