Police Department
City of Somerville FY22 Budget
Mission Statement
The Somerville Police Department is resolute in its conviction to compassionate policing and providing our community the highest level of service. We pledge to treat all persons with courtesy, dignity, and respect; and to work closely with elected officials, community organizers, and the Director of Racial & Social Justice on reimagining policing in the City of Somerville. We will pursue these goals through the implementation of a pre-arrest co-response jail diversion model of policing, continuous engagement with the community as part of our award-winning community policing philosphy, and our dedication to the youth of the community.
Personal Services Changes
Personal Services are projected up 9.9% for FY22.
The FY22 budget incorporates the recently-settled SPEA contract, which accounts for nearly all of the Personal Services increase.
The Overtime line has been increased by 10% to account for increased salaries within the Patrol ranks. This change will fund the same number of hours as FY21, while accounting for salary adjustments.
The FY22 budget proposes a new Director of Finance & Administration position which will be 75% funded in Police and 25% funded in Fire.
Six vacant Patrol Officer positions have been funded at 50% for FY22, pending results of the staffing study and reimagining police process.
Other changes in salaries are due to negotiated collective bargaining agreements and merit increases based on annual performance reviews.
[See below for FY22 budget reductions]
Ordinary Maintenance Changes
Ordinary Maintenance costs are projected up 19.5% for FY22.
The Professional & Technical Services line includes a $60,000 increase to fund a staffing study with the goal of defining the appropriate level of sworn personnel for the SPD moving forward.
The Vehicles Rental line has been increased to $35,000. This was previously funded through the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF).
[See below for FY22 budget reductions]
Reductions in the Police budget made during the FY22 budget process
As part of the City Council's review of the FY22 budget, the following reductions were made:
- 511000 Salaries - Four vacant patrol positions were reduced by a total of $93,662.
- 511000 Salaries - Six vacant patrol positions were reduced by a total of $177,106.
- 530000 Professional & Technical Services - Reduced by $60,000, representing a move of the City's police staffing study to the Racial & Social Justice Department budget.
- 558003 Public Safety Supplies - Reduced by $76,000.
FY22 Goals & Measures of Progress
GOAL 1: Provide every neighborhood a sense of security and improve quality of life by building trust and legitimacy through compassionate policing. Continue engagement with the community as part of our award winning community policing philosophy, and our dedication to the youth of the community
- Increase traffic enforcement by 10%.
- Reinstate Park Walk & Talks.
- COHR will increase collaborations with community service providers by having a minimum of quarterly meetings with Vinfen and Somerville Cambridge Elder Services.
GOAL 2: Continue and expand internal management best practices to foster a more efficient, collaborative, and responsive police force. We pledge to treat all persons with courtesy, dignity and respect; and to work closely with elected officials, community organizers and the Director of Racial and Social Justice on reimagining policing in the City of Somerville.
- Pass annual Accreditation audit
- Increase data transparency by increasing the number of datasets available to the public.
- Meet or surpass deadlines in implementation of State Police Reform Bill
GOAL 3: Provide high quality training to ensure officers are equipped with the skills and information needed to serve and protect the Somerville community. This includes mandatory trainings that meet all criteria set by the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee as well as expanded training relevant to racial and social justice such as implicit bias, de-escalation, crisis intervention, health and mental wellness, and other similar training.
- Increase the number of trainings in the areas of Racial and Social Justice by 3-5 trainings and ensure 100% of Officer Completion.