SOUTHWICK – Southwick Police David Ricardi presented his budget proposal to the Board of Selectmen last night
He warned the selectmen that there were several increases but that they were all “based on the needs of the department.”
Under the operations budget, Ricardi requested an increase in several line items.
The first was $2,000 to replace tires on three police vehicles. Another was a $3,000 increase to the police school budget, which is for officer training.
Ricardi also requested the promotion of a sergeant from within the department.
“Right now we are paying for a shift commander and I would like to send someone to train to be a sergeant,” said Ricardi.
He said in the end there would be an overall savings of approximately $600 to promote someone rather than pay for shift commanders. Ricardi said he would rather train someone and promote them than have a commander who does not have the abilities of a sergeant.
The salary budget also included an additional patrolman.
“We have become specialized in law enforcement,” he said.
Ricardi used the example of Officer Paul Miles, who serves as the IT officer, the court officer, and is one of two evidence control officers.
“He is also our go-to guy for special investigations involving identity issues,” Ricardi said. “So he is rarely on the street.”
Capital requests included a radar unit and several police protection items, including a Taser, two tactical shields, and five tactical helmets.
Ricardi also requested safety software programs to help with real-time active shooter situations.
He said every classroom would have the software on a computer and a teacher could just hit what Ricardi called a “hot button” that would alert police officers and the nearest officer could respond immediately.
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Deedy asked if there was any way the school department would kick in some of the $2,200 for the program.
Ricardi said the school would also have a component to the program at its own cost of more than $9,000 so the schools would not contribute to the police end of the program.
Other capital expenses in the budget include two SUVs to replace current vehicles, which will be close to 90,000 miles each at the time of replacement. Ricardi said one of those vehicles would be given to the animal control officer and the other would go to town administration.
Ricardi also requested three items for the animal control department! including a mobile radio at $1,300 a new computer at $950 and a printer at $500 or less.
The Southwick Police budget will be presented during a public joint meeting of the selectmen and finance committee in February.
