Simsbury police present modest FY27 budget; board presses on overtime, training and cameras

Eric Lemke, identifying himself as chair of the Police Commission, presented the police department’s proposed FY2027 spending plan to the Board of Selectmen and Police Commission, saying the request "funds and supports the existing authorized sworn strength of 42 officers." The budget manager described a roughly 3.6% operating increase driven primarily by contractual general wage increases, union agreements and routine equipment replacement.

The proposed budget includes continued funding for three marked hybrid cruisers and two unmarked administrative vehicles, renewal of the roadside camera lease with coverage expanded by one to two intersections, and replacement or refurbishment of evidence‑room refrigerators that staff said are over 20 years old. Training will remain a priority: department leaders said they will host state‑required certification instruction in‑house rather than through regional providers, a change that gives the town more scheduling flexibility but can require paying outside specialists for some topics.

Board members questioned several line items during a page‑by‑page review. Selectmen asked how overtime is being managed after prior reductions; department staff said current overtime is near budgeted levels but remains sensitive to storms, injuries and vacancies. Staff reported five current vacancies and noted the department has adjusted vehicle‑replacement pacing after pandemic supply delays. On cameras, staff said the town currently covers three intersections (six cameras) and plans to add two camera placements through regional partnerships with neighboring towns to gain better coverage without bearing full cost.

The presentation closed with board members and staff agreeing to continued review of operating impacts and to fold the police budget into the town’s larger package led by finance.