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Montreat police present career ladder, training and vehicle proposals to address staffing and safety gaps
Summary
Police leaders asked the board for modest increases to personnel, training and equipment budgets, proposed promoting a full-time officer to a full-time captain for succession planning, requested tablets and software to replace paper processes, and sought one or two new vehicles—funded partly by FEMA—plus recurring support for training and ammunition.
Justin Whitson (Interim captain) and the interim police leadership presented a police budget overview focused on staffing stability, training and equipment needs. They proposed promoting one of four full-time officers into a full-time captain role to provide succession capacity and proposed a career ladder (police officer 1, 2 and master officer) to improve retention and professional development.
The presenters requested two tablets/iPads and a subscription to a field application (identified as 'Freedom') to allow officers to record interviews, upload evidence, sign forms digitally and access GPS-dispatched data from Buncombe County without adopting the county——RMS at county cost. They argued tablets and integrated software would speed case discovery uploads to the district attorney and reduce paper handling.
Police staff said the department is short two full-time positions but relies on reserves and mutual aid, and they described modest training-budget increases to allow out-of-jurisdiction certification courses (radar and other specialized trainings). They also asked for a small ammunition-budget increase to support proficiency and qualification training.
On fleet, police presenters explained that donated and older vehicles (model years 2013–2017, one at 128,000 miles) are reaching the end of useful life and said FEMA funds and town budget resources could be used to acquire at least one new vehicle this year (presenters gave an indicative upfit-plus-cost estimate near $41,000 for a vehicle and cited interest in Toyota Tacoma models for terrain suitability). Presenters recommended a take-home vehicle policy to support recruitment and accountability, estimated ongoing auto-supply costs at about $1,700 per officer, and described policy and monthly-inspection expectations to prevent misuse.
The presenters also reviewed communications and safety equipment needs (mobile-in-car radios, maintenance of handheld radios, body armor and body-worn cameras). They said the town had received some state equipment gifts (a hand-held LIDAR unit) through the Governor's Highway Safety Program and was awaiting a grant match decision for body cameras that could reduce the town——costs over the next three to four years.
No formal votes on police staffing or vehicle purchases were taken during the session. The board praised staff for handling storm response and for improving coverage, and the meeting closed after adjournment was moved and approved.
