Pittsfield Board Supports Expanding Police Co-Responder Hours
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Police Department would like to extend the emergency co-responders' hours to cover all police shifts.
On Monday, the Personnel Review Board voted to increase the work week from 35 hours to 37.5 hours.
Interim Police Chief Thomas Dawley explained that the co-responders were hired for a 40-hour week Monday through Friday but changed to a "four to two" schedule to match the officers because it was more beneficial. This means they work four consecutive days and then have two days off.
Currently, there are two co-responders and one social worker assigned to the PPD as part of the program and Dawley would like to expand it.
"It was in the best interest of the department to work side by side with our patrol officers which are on a four and two schedule. So the difference is they were hired on a 35-hour schedule, now we're proposing a 37-and-a-half-hour weekly schedule that is parallel with the officers and currently the officers are on a four and two schedule," he said.
"When you look at the totality of the whole year, the average per week is 37 and a half hours and that's what is in alignment with the patrolman as well. We thought this would be more beneficial because we'll have all the shifts covered and weekends rather than having to work Monday through Friday and the weekends are not covered. So it's been working out very well."
The positions were approved about a year ago after the police killing of Miguel Estrella sparked a call for better mental health resources. The department's co-responder had just gotten off shift at the time of the incident.
The co-responders arrive on the scene for calls involving behavioral health disturbances alongside officers, acting as the primary liaison.
Duties include assessing the person to determine appropriate dispositions for services, arrests, diversion from arrests, diversion from unnecessary emergency department visits, or a combination of criminal justice and behavioral health treatment. The co-responders also facilitate police training on intervening in a behavioral health crisis.
It was pointed out that with the additional hours, the position's hourly rate will decrease slightly but the yearly salary will not change. Under the ordinance, co-responders are also eligible for overtime.
The positions were approved as Grade 13 salaries.
"Their salaries are not being adjusted downward, just the hourly rate is being adjusted so they are still being paid the same amount," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood clarified.
Dawley confirmed that there is no monetary loss.
There was little conversation from board members about the 2 1/2 increase. It will go to the City Council for final approval.
