One sergeant, eight Resident State Troopers from the State Police Department and three part-time Town of Mansfield Police Officers currently police Mansfield.
Wednesday night, Town officials held a pair of community discussions at the in order to understand whether residents are satisfied with their police service, or are looking for a change.
The public was presented with a few alternative police service delivery options based on was commissioned in October 2010 by the Town Council and conducted by Management Partners and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
Five new models were presented for consideration. These included:
Operating CostsIncreased Operating Costs Above Current
Annual (Initial) Tax Impact on Typcal Home
No. of Officers Dedicated to Mansfield
Notes Existing/No Change$994,620
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9
8 Troopers; 1 Trooper Sergeant Option 1: Municipal Department $1,895,280 $900,660 $156 1110 Officers; 1 Chief
Tax impact and costs do not include debt service for capital expenses. Capital start-up costs would be an additional $2,883,615.
Option 2: Increase Number of Troopers $1,303,750 $309,130 $54 13 12 Troopers; 1 Sergeant Option 3: Contract with UConn for Service area. Maintain Trooper program in remaining parts of Town. $1,495,311 $500,711 $87 13 8 Troopers; 1 Trooper Sergeant; 4 UConn Officers Option 4: Regional Department$1,632,178
$637,588
$111
9.5
9 Officers; 1 shared Chief Option 5: Hybrid Model of Troopers, Town Officers$1,460,991
$466,371
$81
13
8 Troopers; 1 Trooper Sergeant; 4 Town Officers
Tax impact represents first year costs, no capital/debt service included. Capital start-up costs would be an additional $2,883,615.
Maria Capriola, assistant to the Town Manager, said that the tax impact reflects first year operating costs, not costs for subsequent transition years. It does not include capital costs that would be needed for a municipal department.
Town Manager Matthew Hart said the steering committee would review written feedback from residents in order to present a preferred plan and/or assist the council in ranking options by the end of the calendar year.
The following members serve on the steering committee:
- Elizabeth Paterson, Mayor
- Gregory Haddad, State Representative (D-Mansfield, Chaplin)
- Meredith Lindsey, Council Member
- Matthew Hart, Town Manager
- Maria Capriola, Assistant to the Town Manager
- David Dagon, Mansfield Fire Chief
- Kevin Searles, Windsor Police Chief
- Michael Darcy, Connecticut State Police
- Hans Rhynhart, UConn Police Department
