Staffing, Overtime And Equipment: Ridgefield Zeroes In On Police Budget

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons on Jan. 29 reviewed the proposed 2026–27 budget for the Ridgefield Police Department, focusing on staffing levels, overtime trends, equipment replacement and long-term facility needs.

No votes were taken during the discussion.

Police Chief Jeffrey Kreitz said the proposed operating budget reflects stable staffing after several years of turnover and competitive hiring pressures. He told the board the department has made progress filling vacancies and reducing reliance on overtime, though overtime remains sensitive to unexpected staffing gaps, training requirements and major incidents.

Selectpersons questioned whether projected overtime levels were sustainable. Kreitz said overtime has moderated compared with prior years, when retirements and lateral transfers created staffing shortages, but added that minimum staffing requirements and mandated training can still drive overtime costs.

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The board also reviewed salary projections, which reflect a workforce with a higher proportion of newer officers. Kreitz said that dynamic lowers average salary costs in the short term but increases training and certification expenses as officers progress through required programs.

Equipment and capital needs were another focus of the discussion. Kreitz outlined plans for routine replacement of patrol vehicles, radios and technology used for records management and evidence handling. He said supply-chain delays and rising vehicle costs continue to affect fleet planning, making it important to order replacements well in advance.

The board raised questions about long-term space and facility needs for the police department, particularly in light of earlier discussions about a new or expanded public safety facility. Kreitz said no facility decisions are embedded in the current operating budget, but emphasized that space constraints remain a concern that will require future planning and capital investment.

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The discussion concluded with selectpersons indicating they would revisit police staffing, overtime and capital requests as the broader town budget advances to the Board of Finance. The police budget remains under review as part of the town’s ongoing budget process.