Chief Administrative Officer: Chief's Remarks On Potential New London Police Layoffs "Premature"

Chief Administrative Officer Jane Glover has criticized Police Chief Margaret Ackley's warning of potential layoffs in the New London Police Department as "premature," saying decisions on layoffs will not be made until the impact of the state budget is determined.

"The number and type of positions in the police department are under the authority of Mayor [Daryl] Finizio as he is the hiring authority," Glover said in a statement. "The administration and City Council are working diligently to gather final numbers from the state in order to determine the overall impact of the final budget. At the completion of that process, budgetary decisions regarding reductions in force are under the purview of the administration."

During preliminary discussions on the 2014 budget, which included a $1.4 million cut to the police department under Finizio's budget, Ackley said 20 police officers could be laid off to stay within budget.

The first reading of the budget by the City Council restored $500,000 to the department to bring it to a funding level of $7,324,460. This is $924,526 below the police budget approved for the 2013 fiscal year.

At Monday's Board of Finance meeting, Ackley said the reduced budget would result in 15 layoffs by eliminating five patrol officers from each of the department's three shifts, according to The Day. 

Chuck Flynn, political director of the New London Police Union, was critical of the administration in the May political update to the union's website. Flynn said the department is already understaffed, citing a 2006 study recommending a force of 118 officers, and that officers are looking to other departments to avoid potential layoffs.

"The city fiscal mess has no meaningful plans in place to change course other than continued cuts to personnel, as if the city is cutting up furniture for firewood," said Flynn. "Who knows, maybe the next round of budget cuts will eliminate police administration and allow NLPD to become the newest and largest resident trooper town in the history of the State Police."

During 2013 budget discussions, layoffs in the police department and fire department were proposed in order to balance the budget, including 10 layoffs in the police department. Negotiations with the union resulted in the promise that no layoffs would take place in the department in the 2013 fiscal year.

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