MPD Asks For New Guns, Cruisers in 2013-2014 Capital Budget

Last year the Montville Police Department made its best pitch to the finance committee for replacement guns. At the May 2012 finance meeting, Officer Robin Salvatore, who was then police union president, explained that the department issue pistols had seen the manufacturer’s 10-year life recommendation come and go. Ultimately the request for new guns was shot down. 

They are back asking once again to see the department’s guns replaced to the tune of $25,000 as part of its three item, $210,000 capital budget request.

“We’re pushing it with them,” said MPD Lt. Leonard Bunnell. “It’s not just the guns, we really need three new (police) cars. This should be a priority.”

Bunnell said that the department is operating with four police cruisers whose mileage exceeds 100,000. “And we’ll have another one in July and another really close.”

“Officer safety should not be compromised,” he said.

Also on the department’s capital wish list is another request for a new police boat. Bunnell said the plan is to spread the pain across three years; the boat runs about $80,000 so the idea was to have $25,000 earmarked in the upcoming budget, $25,000 in the next year’s budget and $30,000 in 2015-2016.

“I’d like to see it happen but I’m not too optimistic,” Bunnell said. 

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