Milford Police to add two ATVs to force, create new policy
The larger ATV purchased by the Milford Police in 2014. Courtesy photo
By Scott Calzolaio
Milford police have been finding that much of their work takes place in the woods, and in order to adjust accordingly to the uptick of off-road calls, they’ve decided to write a new All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) policy.
Though the police already own one ATV, Police Chief James Falvey said during the July 10 Select Board meeting, it’s a bit too big to maneuver through much of the town’s forested areas.
“We have been having some rescue missions lately, and we’ve decided it would be better to have two, smaller, ATVs,” he said.
Falvey said the current ATV was just used a few days ago for a search, and to station officers during the fireworks for the 4th of July celebration.
The idea for the smaller ATVs would be almost strictly for searching. The larger ATV is equipped with tools for extraction and transport, while these smaller vehicles are built for speed and dexterity in wooded areas.
Milford Police purchased the larger ATV in 2014, a Polaris Ranger 9000 of the same year. That vehicle is outfitted to carry a paramedic, a patient, and a cab that can fit five total.
So far, he said, 20 officers have been trained to use the ATVs by the Massachusetts Environmental Police, with more signed up to do so.
Select Board member and former Milford Police Chief Thomas O’Loughlin agreed with the course of action and said it will be an important new tool for police to get their work done safely and quickly.
“I think the chief is doing a great job of ensuring the safety of our officers,” said O’Loughlin. “The fact that this policy is geared towards the safety of our officers, it’s critical. We’ve tapped the resources of the Environmental Police, and they’re the pros when it comes to going offroad.”
The rest of the board was in unanimous agreement about the benefits of the new ATV policy.
“I believe this is a good policy,” said Select Board Chairperson Paul Mazzuchelli. “It’s just another tool for enforcement in areas that are difficult for the regular, routine equipment and vehicles to get to. I think this is a great idea.”
