Brockton police outline staffing shortfalls, vehicle needs and recruitment plan in FY27 budget review

Police Chief Brenda Perez told the City Council Finance Committee that the Brockton Police Department responded to roughly 100,000 calls for service in 2025, about three-quarters of which were 911 calls. She said the department is authorized for 206 sworn officers but currently has 173 on staff, leaving 33 vacancies.

Perez described recruitment as a lengthy, multi-step process that typically takes about 16 months from test to a fully certified officer and highlighted the department’s cadet program as an effective local pipeline. She said 14 candidates are expected to enter the police academy in June and August.

Councilors pressed the chief on fleet and equipment. Perez said the department has 33 marked vehicles (including a transport van) and 50 unmarked vehicles; 12 marked units are about 10–15 years old and should be replaced within one to three years, and another 10 units are 7–10 years old and will need replacement in the next three years. She urged a 3–5 year replacement cycle, citing prolonged idling, pursuit use and heavy onboard electronics as reasons mileage understates wear (industry guidance cited that one hour of idling can equal 30–33 miles of engine wear).

On supplies and operations, the chief said a jump in the medical supplies line supports equipping cruisers with tourniquets, ambu bags, masks and gloves. Perez also described expanded community policing efforts — dedicated walk-in and bike beats, a traffic enforcement shift, a full-time clinician, recovery navigators and participation in a quality-of-life task force.

CFO Dr. Clarkson said proposed FY27 reductions to overtime are intended to balance the budget but acknowledged the city routinely transfers salary savings into overtime during the year when vacancies persist. He said there were 29 vacancies at the time the budget book printed and that transfers to cover overtime have been common in prior years; he pledged to work with the chief and mayor to identify operational uses of any salary savings, such as targeted traffic enforcement.

Several councilors proposed identifying salary savings from funded but vacant positions to be redirected for targeted traffic enforcement or overtime to fill critical shifts. Perez and the CFO said they would evaluate options and bring forward a plan if needed. The committee requested continued updates on hiring progress, overtime use and vehicle procurement timelines.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the police budget during the hearing; members indicated they expect potential intra-year transfers if hiring does not progress as expected.