Former public‑safety board member urges abolition of Torrington Board of Public Safety

Glenn McCloud, who said he spent 12 years on Torrington’s Board of Public Safety, urged the charter commission to abolish the board, arguing it has become functionally powerless and adds confusion rather than oversight.

McCloud told commissioners that, despite their work, board members "had no authority to make anybody do anything." He described instances when the board was told it could not terminate an officer "because the city attorney said we couldn't," even though, he said, the police contract named the board as the group that could fire officers.

McCloud also criticized routine operations he said amounted to rubber‑stamping: pension approvals that were processed months after retirees had been paid, budget subcommittees whose lengthy work was later overridden, and contract relationships (including a contract for Trinity Ambulance) that left the board little practical input.

The longtime board member said he is not seeking personal power but wants clarity about what volunteers are expected to do. He said some members agree with his view that the board’s role is ambiguous under the current charter and suggested alternative arrangements, including a city‑council subcommittee that would meet quarterly or convening the full council only when special issues require it.

McCloud said he had discussed the matter with local chiefs and Trinity Ambulance staff to gather their perspectives and offered to provide more detail in a separate meeting with commissioners.

The commission did not take formal action on the comments. The public hearing continued with other speakers and closed later in the evening.