Select Board discusses police staffing shortage, recruitment strategy.
Egremont Select Board tackles police understaffing with recruitment overhaul. Chairwoman Lucinda Fenn-Vermeulen and the board heard from Police Chief Jason LaForest and officers about the challenges of a four-officer shortage, including officers working alone during day shifts. The board discussed
Select Board · Meeting of March 13, 2026
Egremont Select Board tackles police understaffing with recruitment overhaul. Chairwoman Lucinda Fenn-Vermeulen and the board heard from Police Chief Jason LaForest and officers about the challenges of a four-officer shortage, including officers working alone during day shifts. The board discussed hiring part-time officers, sending officers to the academy, and offering sign-on bonuses, but noted budget constraints.
Personnel Director Cara Becker will develop month-to-month scheduling solutions at a follow-up meeting, and the police officer job ad will be revised and resubmitted to the Shopper's Guide.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 200 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of March 13, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Egremont meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Egremont who follows town government? Share Townbrief Egremont: they can sign up free.