Northfield Police Department

FY2013

Northfield Police Department

Supporting Budget Documentation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of funding that the Northfield Police Department receives in comparison to other towns with similar populations within Massachusetts.  With the respect that each individual town has the right to set their own priorities, this study is not designed to contradict that, but to simply compare relative data in order to determine where Northfield stands amongst other towns with similar population size. 

After evaluating census information, I identified fourteen towns within Central and Western Massachusetts, which identify with Northfield by population.  I reached out to each of these departments in an attempt to gather relative information such as budget information, assigned state police barracks, number of full time officers, attractions, etc.  I also gathered FY2011 total town appropriations information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Tax Rate Recap Reports.

This information, was illustrated in a Microsoft excel spreadsheet (see attached) and later illustrated in bar graphs (see below) comparing departments funding levels.  I also recognize that department budgets are often correlated with the amount of municipal funds available.  With that in mind, I not only compared department budgets, but also focused on the percentage of total town appropriations were designated to each police department.

As documented below, there appears to be a direct correlation between the distances from an assigned state police barracks to levels of police funding.  The reason for this may be because response time is often a significant factor in evaluating police services.  National studies have shown that the average police response time for emergency calls is approximately nine minutes.  To most victims of crime, a three to four minute response time is more appropriate.

If Northfield were to rely on a state police officer traveling an average of 22 miles to respond, they should expect a response time of between 20-45 minutes.  If an officer is on the other side of their patrol area, the response time may be 40-90 minutes.

Although located 22 miles from the Shelburne barracks, the percentage of total town appropriations compare Northfield to towns within 0-5 miles from an assigned state police barracks (chart #4).  The total budget of the Northfield Police is also comparable to the average of departments located within 0-5 miles from an assigned state police barracks (see chart # 5).

It should also be noted that the Town of Northfield has a high level of residents who are of a vulnerable population (children and seniors).  With an approximate 1/3 senior population, a regional high school, private school and future college located within the town, the need for a fast police response is of greater importance.

It is my experience that population size tends to snowball, creating a greater need for police services.  As populations grow; police activities such as emergency calls, non-emergency service calls, traffic volumes, community policing efforts, administrative functions, business protection, etc. also increase.  Population sizes are often correlated with police officer salaries, equipment needs, training, etc.