Before issuing its recommendation that the town create an independent police department, the Montville Law Enforcement Feasibility Committee conducted many meetings, including interviews with three chiefs of police, a State Police major and the Montville police union leadership. The committee also reviewed the four previous reports from town-commissioned police studies.

Committee members extensively analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the Resident State Trooper program versus an independent police force, conducting many hours of research.

The final report reveals the start up costs of an IPF to be $68,000, which includes $60,000 for an impound lot that would encompass an oil separator, fencing, security cameras and lighting. The total amount also includes $5,000 for an upgrade to a fingerprint machine and $3,000 for a holding cell monitor. All of these costs have been verified by the town finance director.

The committee recommended adding two more officers and a police chief to the Department. This increase, from the already budgeted-26 member department, would be adding three newly sworn officers by 2017.

There are many factors that led to the study committee’s decision to recommend going independent. The cost of the resident trooper program is $195,000, which includes 85 percent of the trooper’s salary and 100 percent of fringe benefits and overtime. The state has been in discussion to raise that cost to $215,000, which would amount to 100 percent of the salary and 100 percent of the fringe benefits and overtime.

For many years, the cost of the resident state trooper was 50 percent of the salary, but has been steadily increasing of late. The cost of a chief of police could be less than half the expense of maintaining a resident state trooper.

The addition of a chief of police would add continuity of leadership. There have been 22 resident state troopers since 1976. The town would appoint a chief who would best suit the needs of the community. The chief would become eligible for federal funding, grants and equipment not accessible under the current arrangement. There is a potential for $100,000 a year in grants.

Should the town decide to go independent, it would eliminate the need to spend $180,0000 for state-mandated Connecticut State Police radios under the resident trooper program. As an independent force, all Connecticut State Police services currently provided to the town would still be available per Connecticut General Statutes.

The change would significantly reduce prisoner processing time, which would allow officers to resume patrol duties quicker, instead of waiting to process prisoners at Troop E. Having an independent police force could potentially attract economic development, which would be beneficial.

In addition, having an independent force allows reports and record checks requested by the community to be performed within the town. Currently, Montville citizens must go to Middletown to get a complete report or records check and pay a fee to the Ssate for such reports or records. With an independent force, all fees collected would remain in Montville.

Vote “no” Tuesday to leave the ordinance in place and support the formation of an independent police force.

Joseph Jaskiewicz is a member of the Montville Town Council. His opinion is also endorsed by the other Democrats on the council — Billy Caron, Laura Tanner, Tim May and Chuck Longton.