The towns of Monmouth and Winthrop are moving forward with consolidating their police departments after the Winthrop Town Council supported the move at a meeting Sept. 21.

In June, Monmouth residents voted in favor of a proposal to merge the departments.

The consolidation process began in the summer of 2024, according to Paul Ferland, police chief for both communities since 2023. Ferland was Monmouth chief and became the chief for both towns after former Winthrop Chief Ryan Frost retired in 2023.

At the Sept. 21 meeting, Ferland made a presentation on the proposed merger to the Winthrop Council saying it would make official an already well-established working relationship between the two forces, attract better-trained officers to the force, enhance the chance for promotions, and allow for better coverage of shifts for sick, vacation and training time.

Ferland wasn’t able to answer the question of whether consolidation would save the towns money.

“When we make an investment, I’m looking at if it’s still going to be viable 10 years down the road, or are we going to have to replace it five or 10 years down the road?” Ferland told councilors. “Let’s spend a little bit more money up front right now for the longevity of that service down the road.”

Ferland’s plan suggests a “transitional approach” that would merge the two police departments over a period of time.

In the first year of consolidation, which would start at the beginning of the 2028 fiscal year on July 1, 2027, each community would continue to fund its own department at the necessary rate. Monmouth would give Winthrop that amount to administer both departments.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, the towns would analyze a variety of department areas, including staffing, calls for service and need for coverage. The data would form the basis of a merged budget the following year, Ferland said.

With Winthrop’s approval last month, the town will now name three residents to the Joint Police Commission. Monmouth has already appointed two members and an alternate.

The commission will assist in the consolidation, including creating the legal framework for the merger, establishing the interlocal agreement, ironing out the budgeting details, and helping develop the new department’s policies.

There is no set timeline for the merger. The two councils must approve the specifics of the consolidation before it is official.