Simsbury PD Seeks More Officers, New Vehicles And New Equipment

SIMSBURY, CT — Though the town and local police department are not yet unveiling dollar figures for what it wants for 2023-24, the Simsbury Police Commission has finalized a list of items it says are necessary to ensure public safety.

Simsbury Police Commission Chairperson Jen Caulfield earlier this month went before a special meeting of the Simsbury Board of Selectmen to detail what the department says it needs for the next year.

And, according to Caulfield's presentation, the list is somewhat extensive and would require a budget increase.

"We are here because public safety is paramount," Caulfield told selectmen Jan. 9. "The budget we are presenting is the absolute minimum we feel is necessary to provide the services that this town deserves."

Despite the increases, Caulfield said the police spending plan is as low as they'd like to go and "lean" in nature.

Nothing was finalized Jan. 9 and the presentation was, merely, an unveiling of what the Simsbury Police Department will seek in its 2023-24 spending plan.

Among the items being sought are:

• Three additional sworn officers in the form of a school resource officer, traffic enforcement officer for evenings and an evening shift staff sergeant.

Caulfield said the SRO would be a position funded by both police and the Simsbury Board of Education.

• A full-time police clerk and added hours for the current records clerk.

• Three new police cruisers and three new administrative vehicles.

• A new animal control department vehicle, as the current one is more than a decade old.

• Computer software for real-time scheduling, Taser replacements and other non-lethal weapons replacements.

• Roadside cameras to take pictures of license plates of potential crime suspects (but not for traffic enforcement).

• Seven bulletproof vests.

Selectmen said they would like financial breakdowns on the items for upcoming budget meetings and deliberations.

For the minutes of the Jan. 9 special Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.