Norwalk — The Board of Police Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved routine personnel actions and received monthly operational and administrative reports from department leadership.

Commissioners voted to approve Sgt. Drew Sedlock's Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) plan, which the chief said is complete and notarized and would run from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2030. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The commission also approved a master's-degree stipend for Officer Van Slyke after members noted he was hired with a master's degree and therefore did not require a separate bachelor's stipend; that motion also carried unanimously.

Chief Walsh presented the October executive report, reporting 183 sworn personnel on the roster and several recent promotions and probationary hires. He told the commission that a multi‑day on‑site CALEA assessment found no areas of noncompliance and that "full gold standard compliance is expected in March 2026 at the annual CALEA conference." Commissioners repeatedly praised departmental staff for the accreditation outcome.

On grants, the administrative report said the department received a $99,000 DUI enforcement grant for the enforcement period Oct. 2025–Sept. 2026 and a separate $5,000 "Click It or Ticket" grant covering two waves of enforcement. Deputy leadership also reported an 84% activation rate for body and dashboard cameras and ongoing property‑room and evidence audits with no discrepancies found.

The chief reported overtime is being monitored closely as the department prepares the FY 2026–27 operating and capital budget; some overtime categories were higher compared with October 2024 figures, and staff explained that costs for school security hires were shifted onto the police operating budget this year. Extra‑work scheduling figures for October were noted: 1,053 jobs scheduled with 923 filled (an 85% staffing rate) across 67 clients, totaling 10,587 hours.

Other items included recognition of Officer Paul Wargo as October Officer of the Month for a traffic stop that led to narcotics arrests, and several resident commendations for poll‑site work and a marine rescue. Mayor Rilling opened and closed the meeting and set the next meeting for Dec. 15, 2025.

The motions and outcomes taken at the Nov. 17 meeting were procedural and personnel approvals; no new ordinances or policy changes were adopted at the session. The meeting adjourned at 05:41.