Presentation of findings to City Council on Thursday, November 30 

Mayor Ballantyne and the Department of Racial and Social Justice today announce the completion of the Somerville Police Department Staffing and Operations Analysis study. Representatives from Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. – the firm contracted to lead the Analysis – will present the findings to the Somerville City Council this Thursday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. The full report is available at somervillema.gov/spd-updates and will be posted on the Somerville Police Department website as well. 

In March, 2022, the city’s Department of Racial and Social Justice contracted Raftelis Consultants to conduct the staffing and operations analysis study as a key part of the Public Safety for All initiative. Raftelis was tasked with measuring the workload of the SPD, studying staffing, operations, and organization, and analyzing that data. This work was undertaken to support and inform both the Administration as well as community members engaged in reimagining efforts on the city’s public safety resources and needs. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Somerville Police Department for their openness and collaboration in this study. This constitutes one part of many important steps toward reshaping our public safety infrastructure. Intentional strategies and collaboration are vital to the success of our shared goals,” shared Denise Molina Capers, Director of the Racial and Social Justice Department. 

“Keeping our community safe is one of our most fundamental duties as a municipal government, and I want to thank our Police Department for continually striving to apply evolving best practices to their efforts to serve and protect all in our community. I want to thank the Department of Racial and Social Justice as well arranging for this study,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “This report will offer one more tool to help inform staffing decisions that will support the Police Department’s ongoing and unwavering commitment to keep our people and neighborhoods safe.” 

The recommendations included in the final report will be taken under consideration by the Administration. It is important to note that any changes pursued would be subject to collective bargaining with SPD unions and would also require approval via the city budget process.  

View the Report and the Presentation 

For more information about the findings and to view the report, visit somervillema.gov/spd-updates. To learn more about the Public Safety for All initiative, visit somervillema.gov/psfa.  

Raftelis Consultants will present their Analysis in City Hall Chambers on Thursday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. Community members and constituents are invited to attend the presentation in person at 93 Highland Avenue or watch online or on the city’s GovTV cable channels. 

Online Meeting and Streaming Details 

Join the meeting online via https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-EJnJGcZQGeVbDvS4BDw_w. Watch later on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Videos are posted online within approximately two business days after recording. 

Accommodations and Interpretation 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.   

Interpretation into your language is available for all meetings upon advance request by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 at 617-666-3311. Interpretation availability is also being advertised in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, Nepali, Mandarin, and Cantonese. 

— City of Somerville