Funds Approved To Hire Additional Stamford Police Officers

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Finance earlier this month approved funding to hire five additional police officers, scaling back a larger staffing request submitted by the Stamford Police Department.

The board also approved $190,755 tied to a federal COPS Hiring Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, which requires a local funding match.

During budget discussions for fiscal year 2025–26, the department had been advised to seek additional funding only when both current and proposed staffing levels could realistically be filled. According to the request, the department is currently fully staffed at the budgeted police officer level for the fiscal year.

A proposal for 13 new officers had originally been submitted at the Board of Finance's Oct. 9, 2025, regular meeting and was held for further consideration before being revised to seven officers and resubmitted.

Police Chief Timothy Shaw had asked the board to approve an additional appropriation to increase the department’s budgeted sworn officer positions from 217 to 224. The request was intended to allow the department to fill new positions in an upcoming Stamford Police Academy class this spring, according to meeting minutes.

After discussion, board member Richard Freedman made a motion to approve funding for the hiring of five new police officers, and the request was approved by a 6-0 vote.