Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall

The Norwich Selectboard has “decided” to delay consideration of adding a fifth police officer to the Norwich Police Department until budget season in the Fall. This decision was made at the Selectboard’s meeting on April 12th, where the topic was essentially tabled as part of the agenda setting process.

My observations on the topic are at the end of this post, including a task force charge provided by ChatGPT.

Background

At Town Meeting 2023, voters approved Article 11, which advised the Town to consider adding a fourth full-time officer to the NPD. That would bring the officer staff to five, including the Police Chief.

However, Article 11 is advisory only. The Selectboard placed the item on the ballot following a petition drive for a similar but binding measure, which was rejected by the Board.

One of the proponents of the petition, Stand Up For Norwich (SUFN), said the additional officer was necessary to “allow the department to offer coverage 7 days a week, 20 hours per day.”  In addition, according to a Valley News story by Patrick Adrian published on February 21, 2023, Police Chief Wade Cochran “has said that adding a fourth full-time officer would provide the minimum staffing needed to have continuous police coverage, including when officers are on vacation.”

Selectboard ‘action’ on April 12

Towards the end of most Selectboard meetings, the Board typically discusses agenda items for future meetings. At the April 12 meeting, Chair Marcia Calloway asked about placing Article 11 on the agenda. Several Selectboard members indicated that this item could and should wait until budget season in the Fall, in part to get real data as the NPD was understaffed for a long period.

Placing an item on the Selectboard agenda requires the support of a majority of the Board. In the absence of such support, the Selectboard, by inaction, essentially killed further discussion of Article 11 at future Selectboard meetings, until the Board’s consensus changes. Chair Calloway asked that the discussion be reflected in the minutes, although that did not happen. Watch the discussion at the YouTube video of the meeting (audio garbled in places), beginning at 2:45:33.

Vice Chair Mary Layton expressed frustration that some residents repeatedly raise the matter of adding another police officer, stating she supported an advisory vote to gauge the temperature of the town. She sees Article 11 as relating to next year’s budget. However, Ms. Layton feels the some residents see the vote “as a mandate to hire this police officer.” She added: “I don’t like being badgered about [it at] every single meeting or with correspondence. I just think its overboard.” YouTube video, at 2:47:21.

Observations

With 681 voters supporting Article 11, the matter has earned an agenda spot for an April Selectboard meeting, even if advisory and even if most Selectboard members think the matter should wait. What is the point of citizens initiating a ballot question if the Selectboard tables the discussion? The money is available to hire the fifth offficer as several staff positions remain unfilled and the audit shows the Town had a substantial surplus last year.

List Article 11 on the agenda. Hear the public out, get the benefit of different views and then make a decision. If the decision is to wait until Fall, so be it. The Board benefits from public input and the decision-making process is transparent.

Moreover, whether five officers are necessary to provide 20/7 coverage is more of a planning issue that does not necessarily require new data. According to SUFN and the Valley News story, the fifth officer is necessary to maintain desired coverage levels without overworking staff. That seems worth exploring.

Nevertheless, it is important to note the Selectboard is currently carrying a heavy workload. The Board may not have the bandwidth to dedicate to Article 11.

Convene a Task Force?

One potential solution could be to create a task force to examine whether a fifth police officer is appropriate for Norwich. That public body, comprised of community members, would collect information and make recommendations. A task force also provides an opportunity for public input and involvement while also respecting the Selectboard’s busy schedule.

I asked ChatGPT to formulate a brief charge for such a group. Here’s one suggestion provided by AI.

Your task is to evaluate whether our small rural town needs to add a fifth police officer. Consider the benefits and drawbacks, budget considerations, the experiences of neighboring towns with similar population sizes, and any other relevant factors. Ensure that your recommendation is supported by data, and consider the best interests of the community. Explore potential alternatives to adding an officer, such as contracting with neighboring towns or investing in community-based crime prevention programs.

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