Magazine features Peabody police grant
Peabody's police department is like many others across the country, saddled with budget cuts and growing needs.
Chief Jeff Pohlman says that about 90 percent of his budget is designated to cover personnel.
This leaves little for any extras that make the law enforcement job safer or more efficient.
Pohlman and the Peabody department were recently featured in an issue of the United States Municipal Police Association magazine.
The USMPA regularly awards equipment grants to municipal police departments.
Pohlman applied for a grant last fall and the department received a camcorder and protective vest.
In a later interview for the association's magazine, Pohlman expressed his gratitude for the extra equipment.
"The camcorder is working just great," Pohlman told the magazine.
"We use it on all of our search warrants and interviews. It's amazing how effective videotape can be.
"
Pohlman said the grants are available to municipal law enforcement departments all over the country, but a department can apply only once in three years.
"We will apply again, when we are eligible," he said.
"Programs like this help stretch our budget and allow us much needed equipment we can't get for ourselves."
