New Cruisers Coming to Police Department

Westfield Police Department is replacing three of its oldest cruisers with three new Ford Crown Victorias.

At Tuesday's committee meeting, the Town Council approved the purhase of the $22,000 vehicles, which are being bought through a state contract bid.

Although the cars do not come fully equipped, they do have modifications such as larger oil pans and better alternators that are needed to meet the demands of police work, said Police Chief John Parizeau. Features like the electronics, lights, and radios will be removed from the outgoing cars and installed in the new ones. The retired vehicles will be auctioned to the public.

Parizeau said that these new primary vehicles should be able to be used for about two years. That's the normal time frame that the department keeps cars on the road in use. Primary vehicles are the ones that are out on the road "24/7," he said. After the approximate two years, they typically become secondary vehicles, which are used by supervisors or serve as replacements if a primary vehicle is down.

In other public safety news, the Council also approved the appointment of special police officers at its recent meeting. These volunteers are the officers you see on Sundays directing church traffic, or at other events such as the town Christmas tree lighting and high school graduations, Parizeau said.

These individuals differ from regular police in that they have to be sworn in yearly according to state law. They must go to police academy on their own time in order to serve. They receive a $1,000 stipend annually for their work.