Police seek FY27 budget increase amid staffing shortages
Finance Committee reviews Police FY27 budget as town eyes stronger financial footing than peers. Dartmouth Police Department presented its fiscal 2027 operating budget reflecting a 1.6% overall increase, centered on a 12% hike in dispatcher costs to fund a new noon-to-8 p.m. shift position
Finance Committee · Meeting of February 5, 2026
DARTMOUTH — Finance Committee reviews Police FY27 budget as town eyes stronger financial footing than peers. Dartmouth Police Department presented its fiscal 2027 operating budget reflecting a 1.6% overall increase, centered on a 12% hike in dispatcher costs to fund a new noon-to-8 p.m. shift position addressing staffing shortages and burnout. Chief Levesque requested funding for a staffing study to determine optimal officer levels, noting police salaries comprise 70% of the department's budget and overtime costs are projected at $50,000 to $80,000.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad reported that Dartmouth stands in a stronger position than many Massachusetts communities, with about half of municipalities facing operational overrides or major cuts over the next three years; the town is providing schools a 3% budget increase despite a state proposal of only 1.7% local aid growth.
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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 5, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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