Police Department

Section II - Public Safety: 2101 Police Department

The mission of the Brewster Police Department is to prevent crime, preserve order and to protect the rights, lives and property of all people. The Brewster Police Department works in partnership with the community to identify and effectively respond to the diverse, ever-changing social and neighborhood problems and needs. This work is carried out with an emphasis on integrity, fairness and professionalism.

• Operated within the targeted budget, using grant funding when available and appropriate.
• Through a Highway Safety grant issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Police Department was able to obtain two traffic calming devices (speed signs) that have been placed on Route 137 and Route 124, with assistance from the Department of Public Works.
• A third speed sign was purchased using the department's administrative expense line and is being rotated between Lower Road and Millstone Road.
• The Police Department has replaced two police cruisers using money approved through a capital article and is working on replacing additional vehicles. Both of the outgoing vehicles have been repurposed within Town, and continue to support the Town's fleet.

• Moving into FY2023 the Police Department is supporting a level services budget, which does not include any increases in staffing.
• Prioritizing and addressing building maintenance and repairs within the operating budget.
• Creating a vision plan for the agency, which, in conjunction with the Town's Vision Plan and the Select Board's Strategic Plan, will help inform budgetary decisions moving forward.

• The budget represents a $4,281 (.14%) increase over the FY22 budget.
• The decrease in the personnel line item is due to retirements in 2022.
• There is a decrease of $5,000 in the R&M Motor Vehicle line - most repairs for vehicles are now being handled in-house, resulting in reduced expenses.
• An increase of $1,000 is provided to cover academy tuition fees for two student officers should the need to replace existing positions arise.
• An increase of $5,000 is provided to cover minor repairs for the R&M building.
• An increase of $1,000 is provided to address training needs in response to the 2020 Police Reform Law.
• An increase of $10,000 in the Overtime line item reflects prior year actuals and increases resulting from contractual obligations.
• Click here to see the BUDGET INCREASE RATIONALE FORMS.

Click here for SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET AND DEPARTMENT INFORMATION.