Madison and Clinton Police Departments: Let's Work Together

By Lauren Lanzon

Madison Police Commissioner Edward Dowling and Madison Chief of Police Jack Drumm represented the Madison Police Department at a recent Clinton Police Commissioners meeting. Their presence at the meeting marked the start of a discussion between the two departments to further explore resource sharing.

While Chief Todd Lawrie of Clinton pointed out that this won't be the first time these two departments have teamed up since they've worked together in the past to conduct events such as DUI checks and seatbelt programs, both departments are now looking to further the relationship.

"I think this is a sound idea," said Clinton Police Commissioner Chairman Edward O’Connor. "We can get a subcommittee going on this and get the chiefs involved. We can set up some dates to start an informal discussion on where to go from here, and throw around some ideas."

Clinton Police Commissioners Phil Sengle and Peggy Adler agreed. 

"You are pushing on an open door," Sengle said to the Madison reps. "We are very in favor of sharing and we can make it work for both parties."

"This is definitely worth investigating," added Adler.

Madison's Chief Drumm agreed.

"I've been looking at Clinton and Madison for the last several years and finding more and more that we have many similarities," he said. "We have summer traffic, you have Clinton Crossings that draws folks from all over, we have the same in Hammonasset. It is worthwhile to have some sort of discussion and a joint meeting. I think the economy dictates that we should explore these options."

Dowling stated that both departments will look at staff and equipment assets to evaluate what resources can be shared that would be economically advantageous to both towns. The departments spoke about the possibility of sharing Clinton PD's boat, which recently went out for the Madison and Westbrook fireworks.

"That is one of the things you have that we don't," said Drumm. "We don't have the facility to keep a boat."

"Let us continue in the spirit of cooperation to find a win-win solution that can serve as model for other towns," Dowling stated.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both departments agreed that further discussion would take place at meetings they would set up together to discuss what steps to take next.