Police department requires $15,000 in funding

11/25/2004

By: Ashley Winchester , Reporter

Clinton - Last week, the Board of Finance approved $15,000 in special appropriations funding for the police department to hire a new officer, purchase new uniforms and maintain marine equipment.

The Department anticipated this expense last year, but the Board of Selectmen rejected the funding during budget planning. According to First Selectman James McCusker, Selectmen do not approve speculative expenses when writing the budget. Unfortunately, because the funding was not approved, the police department is currently in debt for more than $8,000, said Police Chief Joseph Faughnan.

Hiring new officers is a long and expensive process, said Maj. James Fitzgerald. The requested money will help pay for a series of written, polygraph, psychological and physical-agility tests per certified police officer. Usually, up to three candidates must go through the entire process before a qualified officer is chosen, at an expense of $1,150 per person, he said.

The police department recently hired two new officers, and expects to hire a third by the beginning of 2005. Officer Sue Koseroski started duty in July and Officer Joseph O'Brien was sworn in Nov. 8. O'Brien was only just fitted for a uniform and equipment, Fitzgerald said, but started duty last week. The basic police uniform includes a bulletproof vest, portable radio and weapon, at a cost of around $4,400 per officer, Fitzgerald said. The department withdrew the uniform expenses from the operating account, but manufacturers are still awaiting payment and additional bills are expected. The $15,000 expenditure will go to town meeting next week for final approval.

The need for a new officer came in the wake of Maj. John Welch's impending retirement. Welch served on the Clinton Police force since 1979, and will move on to work as a fraud investigator for the Hartford Insurance Co.