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Templeton police to end midnight shift after override vote fails; chief warns of coverage gaps
Summary
The police chief told the Select Board the department cannot staff a midnight shift starting July 1, 2026, after a failed Proposition 2½ override. He recommended earlier bar-closing and said State Police response times overnight could reach 30–40 minutes.
The Templeton Police Department will not staff a midnight shift starting July 1, 2026, the police chief told the Select Board at its June 1 meeting, a direct consequence of voters rejecting a Proposition 2½ override.
"On July 1st of 2026, there will be no midnight shift," the police chief said, describing a schedule change that will have officers on duty from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. He said the department lacks the personnel to maintain overnight staffing without cutting other shifts.
The chief cautioned that the Massachusetts State Police will respond only to emergencies if local coverage is unavailable and estimated response times could be 30–40 minutes in some cases. He recommended the board consider requiring liquor establishments to close earlier to reduce late-night calls and said he would work with the board and state partners on contingency plans.
Board members asked for clearer reporting on calls for service after discussing whether building/property checks were being counted in quarterly totals. The chief agreed to clarify the reporting format so the public and the board can distinguish citizen-initiated calls from officer-initiated property checks.
What happens next: The schedule change takes effect July 1. The chief and administrator will present clarified call‑data reporting and continue discussions about staffing options, including potential negotiation with unions, alternative scheduling, and possible grant opportunities or long-term staffing strategies.
