East Haven Mayor Refutes Police Union Concerns Over Dispatch Changes

The following is a statement released by Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. in response to the Police Union's blistering attack regarding a new civilian dispatch center that is going to cost taxpayers $1.25 million. 

“I consider the Public Safety Dispatch Upgrade is one of the most important public safety programs our community has undertaken in my fourteen years as Mayor.  As such, it is inappropriate for the police union leadership to be issuing accusatory statements and playing games with such a critical public safety matter.  In the end, the move to civilian dispatchers stands to vastly improve public safety and will significantly reduce dispatch operational costs, saving taxpayer dollars.  

The police union leadership’s real concern is that this upgrade will make our dispatching program more efficient, reducing the overtime pay that officers currently earn by dispatching.  The police union leadership wants to keep those taxpayer dollars in their pockets.  

I assure the union and our residents that all monies expended on this upgrade, to-date are attributable to startup costs that have been previously appropriated and we are anxiously awaiting Council approval for the bonding that will fund the bulk of this upgrade.  As a result, the union can continue to make accusatory statements, however I will continue to do all that is necessary to ensure this critically necessary upgrade is approved by the Council and completed," Maturo's statement reads.

Click here for the Police Union's initial comments on the proposed civilian dispatch system.