Milford Police Want 'Paramilitary' Structure Strengthened With New Lieutenant Positions

MILFORD, MA — Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino is pursuing a plan to create three lieutenant positions in an effort to strengthen the department's military-style command structure.

Tusino went to the Milford Select Board this week to get permission for the move. Under his plan, the department would promote two sergeants to become lieutenants, and then create a third new lieutenant position overseeing department operations.

As it stands, the department has a chief and deputy chief at the top of the chain of command, and then an array of sergeants. Tusino said the department needs a layer of lieutenants to conduct activities like internal affairs probes, court preparation and evidence control.

"It's a paramilitary organization, so it has to flow," Tusino, who was hired as chief last month, told the select board.

The new lieutenant position would oversee operations, which would include responding to major incidents, "daily threat assessments" and planning for security around big events, like parades.

"There are a lot of clandestine things that go on, you can infer that with the way the world is and what we're dealing with at the Milford Police Department," Tusino said.

Tusino told the select board the cost of the restructure would be about $181,000 initially. The select board agreed the new lieutenant positions would make the department run more smoothly, and clarify who's in command. Members Paul Mazzuchelli and Michael Walsh voted in favor of the plan.

"With what's going on in the world … I think it makes perfect sense," Walsh said. "The military has been around forever, and it runs very well."

Select Board member Tom O'Loughlin recused himself from the vote because his son is a sergeant in the police department, and could be up for consideration for one of the new lieutenant roles.

Tusino said he will next visit the town personnel board for approval, and then meet with the town finance department to figure how to pay for the new roles. He said there's likely room in the current fiscal year budget for the positions. If the money isn't in the current budget, Tusino said the changes would have to wait until the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The restructure is one of several upgrades the department has seen in recent years. Milford police acquired a K9 in 2021 for the first time in 15 years. The department also acquired a drone in 2021.