The New Ipswich Select Board is considering adding additional officers to the police roster, with the intent to boost the department’s numbers enough to provide at least part-time overnight coverage.
During a budget discussion with Police Chief Michael Abel last week, the board discussed a proposed budget with the current staffing, but also considered what a budget with one or two additional officers might look like.
The current proposed budget for the Police Department sat at about $886,000, which is a 7.29 percent increase. The increase includes about $7,000 in additional training for officers and $8,000 in incentives for current staff, including for passing a police fitness test annually, education and longevity bonuses.
The board also discussed the possibility of purchasing two police shields at a cost of about $10,000 to replace 10-year-old equipment, but decided to consider purchasing the equipment using American Rescue Plan Act funding, rather than through the budget.
Abel also asked that the town consider a budget that would include funding for an additional officer. Currently, the town employs six full-time officers, and does not have overnight coverage. Abel said a seventh officer would allow for at least part-time overnight coverage four days a week, and with eight officers, the town could have 24-hour coverage every day.
Abel said with a population of over 5,000, the New Ipswich Police Department has legal jurisdiction over the town. While State Police respond during incidents that occur overnight, technically, they are not obligated to, Abel said.
“They do it because it’s the right thing to do and they try to help out,” Abel said. “That being said, they’re down 70 to 80 troopers, which is one-third of their workforce.”
Legally, in mutual aid situations, the town where the call originates must also send officers when they request mutual aid.
Abel said based on the size of the town and its growing population, he recommends the town start to move toward a 24-hour coverage model, but said it’s impossible with his current level of staffing.
“Trying to run an agency with six guys 24/7/365 is awful lean. It’s really a hard thing to do, not really safe for the officers, either,” Abel said. “It’s obviously my recommendation we move toward 24-hour coverage. How we get there, it has to be a conversation, but I recommend we get there.”
According to Abel, to hire an additional officer on Jan. 1 would cost the town about an additional $103,000, including insurance and retirement funding, or $63,000 if the town plans to hire an officer halfway through the year.
Select Board Chair Shawn Talbot said the board would take the conversation as information at this time and discuss it further, and the board did not vote on the issue.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603- 924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.