Brookline Police Department Has COVID Staffing Shortages

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Police Department is currently experiencing staffing shortages due to the spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant, according to the Brookline Police Union.

Because the omicron variant is so infective, a large number of local police officers have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and the department has been struggling to sufficiently staff each shift, said the union. Those who are still able to work are often ordered to work additional shifts to fill the vacancies and are sometimes on-duty for 24 consecutive hours.

"Because of the failure of leadership on the Select Board, there are fewer people available to work than at any time in recent memory, which leads to forced overtime around the clock,” said the union in a statement. "Remember that even in a global pandemic, public safety never stops and the police department never closes.”

"We want to thank members of the community who have stepped up recently and supported us in these difficult times,” they continued. "No matter what is going on in the world, we will be here for this community when we are needed.“

According to Select Board Chair Heather Hamilton, the town will be dealing with the Brookline Police Department’s staffing shortage issue at the Select Board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

At the meeting, the board plans to appoint a new Acting Police Chief and delegate some authority to the Town Administrator to be able to make operational calls in a more timely manner during staffing shortages, said Hamilton.

Tuesday’s Select Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. and will be live-streamed here.