News

Conn. Councilors, Police Union Unhappy about 9-1-1 Center Funding

Evan Lips

07/21/2014

July 21--EAST HAVEN -- Even though the Town Council decided last week to table a vote on whether to bond $1.2 million for a new civilian dispatch center until next month, some members are steamed to have learned that equipment has already arrived and training has already begun.

"The question is, I don't know where they got the approval and I don't know where they got the money," District 4 Democratic Town Councilor Joe Badamo said earlier this week. "This was supposed to be decided on at our August meeting."

Patrolman Bob Nappe, president of the police officers union, also voiced his displeasure this week in a press release, questioning how the town's hiring of six civilian dispatchers will put more officers on the road. East Haven had been the only town in New Haven County to use police officers to man emergency phone calls.

"The overtime was created by this administration because they did not hire officers as they left the department," Nappe stated. "When we are at full staff, the overtime will correct itself."

Nappe opted not to cite current staffing numbers, noting that he didn't think "the bad guys should know our manpower stats."

He also questioned statements made by Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. claiming the introduction of civilian dispatchers would put more officers on the street. Nappe claimed that during union negotiations, town officials answered, "we cannot commit to that," when he asked if the move would add another officer to the road.

Nappe's full statement can be read here.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, the town spent roughly $1.2 million on overtime. During the Finance Committee vote that sent the $1.2 million dispatch center proposal to Town Council, Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. cast the tie-breaking vote and said the new center would be a "model" for the rest of the country.

Frank Gentilesco, Maturo's assistant director of administration, said Thursday that the new dispatchers are still training and that the town has only purchased $12,000 worth of equipment.

"Contrary to belief, it's not up and running," Gentilesco said about the dispatch center, which is located inside the Police Department's records room. "It won't go live until after the Town Council votes on the bond proposal."

Gentilesco added that "in anticipation of bond notes, there has always been some small spending that goes on."

"One thing we've said is that the mayor will not let his detractors get in the way of progress," Gentilesco noted. "We think this new dispatch center will be the best thing to happen to public safety since the mayor brought in 24/7 paramedic service."

On Friday Maturo issued his own prepared statement, labeling the police union leadership's "accusatory statements" as "inappropriate."

Maturo added that the union leadership's "real concern is that this upgrade will make our dispatching program more efficient, reducing the overtime pay" officers earn.

"The police union leadership wants to keep those taxpayer dollars in their pockets," Maturo said. "I assure the union and our residents that all monies expended on this upgrade are attributable to startup costs that have been previously appropriated."

Republicans currently own a 9-6 majority on Town Council, meaning that when the matter comes to the floor for a vote, it will likely pass solely based on partisan lines.

"I'm very confident that when the Town Council hears all about this project, this will be one of the best things this administration has ever done," Gentilesco said.

The Town Council is slated to meet again on Aug. 5.

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