Town officials on Tuesday green-lighted two additions to equipment for members of the New Canaan Police Department.
The first unanimous approval from the Board of Selectmen involved transportation for the officers—outfitting two new emergency response vehicles that include specialty warning systems.
Police Capt. John DiFederico urged that the selectmen during their regular meeting that vehicles are important in the business aspect of the police department.
The purchase of the two vehicles can help maintain a strong fleet—which is important “in case anything ever breaks down,” DiFederico said at the meeting, held in Town Hall.
The budget for updating two vehicles is $26,030.13 total, though the final cost will depend on how much equipment the department can take from older vehicles as well as how much money the older vehicles will fetch when sold. The request garnered unanimous approval from First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and Selectmen Nick WIlliams and Beth Jones.
The police department also preparing to acquire new bulletproof vests.
“The vests are not something that we can buy right off of the shelf, the officers have to get fitted,” DiFederico said. “They last five years and then they expire and officers get new ones.”
This year, seven New Canaan officers need new vests. They cost around $900 each, and the total budget for the vests this year is $6,350. DiFederico plans on tapping into grant money as available, he said. The officers have already been fitted for new vests. Again, Mallozzi, Williams, and Jones approved the request 3-0. They will move into contract with Danbury-based New England Uniform LLC for new ballistic vests.