Police Chief Baldwin told the Board of Public Safety on Dec. 3 that the Torrington Police Department is down seven officers and is actively recruiting to fill vacancies.

"We are currently down 7 officers," Police Chief Baldwin said, noting one recruit is expected to graduate the academy on Dec. 17 and another begins training the next day at the Waterbury Academy. He added four officers are due to finish field training by the end of the month and the department has two conditional offers outstanding.

The chief also described operational adjustments tied to a new shelter: "The homeless shelter opened Dec. 1 up here at the Trinity Church," Baldwin said, and the department has "increased our patrols there" and made officers visible at the site to support shelter staff.

Fire Chief Tripp told commissioners the fire department also faces staffing pressure after a recent departure. "We lost a firefighter to Bristol," Tripp said, and the vacancy, he said, is the result of a mix of factors including opportunities and pension differences offered by neighboring departments. Tripp said the department currently has four openings, an open application window through Dec. 9, and expects to have hard cost numbers for Eastside station staffing and operations by Jan. 8.

Tripp described multiple recruitment pathways, including a veterans program he termed "heroes to heroes" that helps transition military veterans into firefighting roles. "It's very competitive," he said, and added that he and staff will be recruiting at a Dec. 5 graduating class to encourage new recruits to join Torrington.

The volunteer fire company also reported operational activity. Mister Bass said the volunteers were dispatched to 11 calls and responded to all 11, sustaining roughly 18 months of a 100% response rate. He outlined community events including participation in Light Up Maine, the Christmas Village Parade and two Santa Express appearances on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20.

The board approved routine departmental reports during the meeting, including acceptance of the police and fire chiefs' October reports and EMS provider activity reports. Motions to accept the reports were moved and seconded and carried on voice votes.

What happens next: Chiefs Baldwin and Tripp said recruitment and staffing will remain priorities. Chief Tripp said he will provide more specific hire information and cost estimates at the next meeting once recruitment and budget calculations are completed.