Abington Police Chief Reports Department 32% Under Minimum Staffing
Relief in sight with seven recruits graduating in October
ABINGTON - September 8 - Police Chief Kevin John Bonney revealed Monday that the Abington Police Department has been operating 32 percent below minimum staffing levels since he took command, forcing the department to rely heavily on overtime while managing significantly increased call volumes and dangerous incidents.
The Full Story
Speaking at the Select Board meeting, Chief Bonney painted a stark picture of a department stretched thin but performing at remarkable levels. The department is funded for 19 patrol officers but currently has only 13, with 11 dedicated to street patrol and two assigned to schools. Seven recruits are currently in the academy and expected to graduate October 10th.
"Running a police agency with 32 percent less bodies than we're allotted for has been monumentally difficult, but our crew has definitely risen to the challenge," Bonney said. The chief used analogies to illustrate the impact, comparing it to building homes with lumber that's 32 percent shorter or feeding a family with 32 percent less pizza.
The staffing shortage has created a cascade of financial impacts. The department's overtime budget was allocated $140,000 for fiscal year 2025 but actually used $476,000. This year's overtime budget of $180,000 is already 50 percent depleted just two months into the fiscal year, though officials expect relief when new officers complete field training in January.
Despite being understaffed, the department has dramatically increased its activity. Year-to-date arrests have topped 500, representing a 12 percent increase from the previous year. In August alone, officers made 72 arrests while responding to 662 calls for service and handling 72 traffic crashes. The department also wrote 102 citations during 204 traffic stops.
Chief Bonney highlighted the dangerous nature of current police work, noting that firearm recoveries "are through the roof." The department has recovered 34 improperly stored firearms from licensed carriers and 55 firearms held for safekeeping during restraining order cases. Three recovered firearms had been used in the commission of crimes.
The chief played audio from a recent high-speed pursuit that began with a drug investigation on Kingswood Drive and ended in Brockton, demonstrating how a single officer handled the dangerous situation alone. "The entire time he was by himself. Through Holbrook, through Brockton, he was by himself the whole time," Bonney explained.
Recent incidents underscore the department's challenges. Last week, Officer John Sayers was involved in two separate foot pursuits, including one where a suspect ditched what turned out to be a pellet gun. Another officer was struck by a vehicle during a pursuit of a suspect driving erratically and hitting people with his truck.
In response to these dangerous situations, Select Board member Kevin Donovan made a motion to formally commend the officers involved in recent pursuits and invite them to the next meeting for recognition. The motion passed unanimously.
Fire Chief Jack Glynn also addressed the board, reporting that his department maintains full staffing with six members per shift, all trained as paramedics. The fire department responded to over 4,500 calls last year with the same staffing levels that handled 1,100 calls in the mid-1970s.
The department operates two ambulances, generating $1.4 million in revenue for the town last year. However, Chief Glynn warned that both ambulances are frequently in service simultaneously, requiring off-duty personnel to respond to additional calls. "We're averaging probably one to two times per day minimum where both ambulances are in service," he said.
The fire department has achieved a 77 percent success rate on CPR resuscitations in 2024, far exceeding the 30 percent national average. Chief Glynn credited advanced training and equipment, including portable ultrasound technology and cutting-edge defibrillation techniques.
Financial concerns also emerged during the meeting. Town Manager Scott Lambiase announced that departments have been asked to submit level-funded budgets for fiscal year 2027, with the town facing an estimated $1.7 million revenue shortfall.
Donovan renewed his call for department-by-department override questions if needed, arguing that residents should have maximum choice in how their tax dollars are spent. "It would appear to me that we may be in a position that we would have to have a question of an override election. And that's the people's decision," Donovan said.
The board also received Lambiase’s preliminary report on restructuring town departments. The report recommends not filling vacant positions in the health department and moving the health agent under Inspectional Services. Lambiase plans to extend the review to police, fire, DPW, library, and senior center departments.
Treasurer/Collector Lindsay Grasso reported progress on reconciling town accounts, with 103 of 105 accounts balanced through June 30th. The remaining two accounts are being reconciled by Rockland Trust due to payroll system transition issues.
In other business, the board approved joining a regional public health grant with Brockton, Avon, Whitman, and Stoughton. The board denied a request from 7-Eleven to operate 24 hours at 145 North Quincy Street. The board also put three town-owned parcels into conservation care.
Why It Matters
The police department's staffing crisis directly impacts public safety response times and officer wellbeing, while the financial strain affects the entire municipal budget. With police activity increasing and dangerous incidents involving firearms becoming more common, residents should understand that their local police are handling significantly more with fewer officers than budgeted. The upcoming budget process will force difficult decisions about service levels and potential tax increases.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Commend police officers involved in recent pursuits and invite them to next meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 19:39)
Motion: Put parcels 64-14, 64-34, and 68-2 into conservation care. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:00:33)
Motion: Deny 7-Eleven request for 24-hour operation. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:01:04)
Motion: Place town manager's restructuring report on next meeting agenda. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:11:16)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held, though several residents attended the meeting. A resident from Harris Court had previously contacted the board regarding land conservation issues that were addressed during the meeting.
What's Next
Police academy graduation is scheduled for October 10th, with new officers expected to be introduced at the October 22nd meeting. The town manager will complete department restructuring reviews for police, fire, DPW, library, and senior center by the October 22nd meeting. Board members must submit comments on the restructuring report to the town manager one week before the next meeting. A 9-11 remembrance ceremony will be held Thursday, September 11th at 8:30 a.m. at Town Hall.