New Police Accountability Bill​ To Have Big Budget Impacts

MILFORD, CT — The state's new Police Accountability Bill will result in a big financial impact on the Milford Police Department's budget for fiscal 2021-22, according to department officials.

At this month's Board of Police Commissioners meeting, Police Chief Keith Mello said he continues his work on various committees regarding Police Accountability and Transparency adding considerable work has been done on this and requirements have been completed under the Police Accountability Bill for officers’ misconduct.

He explained, according to meeting minutes, that the 1st phase of Use of Force Policy has been completed. Further he noted there are a number of things that have occurred, and he explained police officers are required to meet specific mandates for drug testing and mental health assessments and these requirements have been introduced into the upcoming budget adding approximately $300,000 into their proposed budget.

Mello stated that efforts have been made to take advantage of state reimbursements to implement body cameras and dash cams have also been removed. He explained to replace these items would be expensive but the law requires they be put back into use. Mello stated these increases are reflected in the proposed budget.

Further, he noted he has had a budget meeting with Mayor Ben Blake and he noted that police cars will no longer be part of the department’s budget but will be part of the city’s vehicle acquisition plan.