Letter: Dalton Police Unions Ask for Support at June 9 Special Town Meeting
 |
To the Editor:
The Dalton Police Patrol Officers and Superior Officers unions are asking members of the community to come out in support of fair labor relations between them and town officials at the special town meeting on June 9.
Both unions are calling on the town voters to honor a contract that union officials lawfully negotiated under collective bargaining rules with Town Manager Tom Hutcheson.
Members of the Finance Committee and Select Board both approved and signed off on the union contracts and Police Department budget prior to Dalton's May 5 annual town meeting. Unfortunately, during the annual town meeting session, some members of the Finance Committee reneged on its approval and voted against the DPD budget and the contracts.
The Patrol Officers and Superior Officers unions worked with Hutcheson, negotiating in good faith while keeping the taxpayers in mind, for a couple of months. Ultimately,the negotiations led to an agreement which would bring both the patrol and superior officers near the "middle of the pack" in regards to pay for Berkshire County police departments.
Both the Patrol Officers and Superior Officers unions are affiliates of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (MassCOP) — the largest and most influential police officers' professional organization in the commonwealth. MassCOP represents close to 6,000 police professionals across more than 160 departments in Massachusetts.
The special town meeting scheduled for June 9 provides a second opportunity for residentsto make their voices heard, and to vote for an approval of the proposed budget for DPDoperations and the lawfully negotiated contracts.
"All of our members are sworn to protect and serve and they deliver on that promise every dayin service to the residents, business owners, town officials and other community stakeholders inDalton,"said Sgt. Geoffrey Powell, president of the Superior Officers Union. "Our members appreciate the respect and care that the Dalton community shows to local law enforcement and all first responders. It's our hope that turnout at the special town meeting will be strong and residents will demonstrate their support for the police officers who keep Dalton safe."
In addition to patrolling Dalton and ensuring public safety with the highest degree of professionalism and respect, Dalton officers are committed to serving the community in other ways.
The Dalton Police Department has hosted a bike rodeo for the last three years that features a giveaway with donated bikes. The department sponsors and hosts an annual "Night Out" as part of a national initiative to build stronger community relationships. The department donates and awards a scholarship to a graduating high school senior to assist in furthering their education. There are officers who are involved in the community coaching youth sports, such as the Dalton Police Association Little League team and other community-oriented activities. The department valuse its strong support of all of the high school's sports teams as the department will escort the team buses for a "parade style" escort through town celebrating their accomplishments. The yout of the town have expressed how much they enjoy the support and it goes to show the department's efforts to further embark on community policing.
Please come out and have your voices heard and come vote to support the budget for the Dalton Police Department on June 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School.
Dalton Police Superiors & Patrol
MassCOP Union Members
Tags: Dalton Police, special town meeting,
