Frank Ferrara, a Republican candidate for the Police Commission, is a New York Police Department veteran, having served in patrol, supervisory, and other roles. He is active in Weston community organizations.

Mr. Ferrara says he brings to the table “31 years of policing experience, starting with walking a beat to front-line supervisory positions. I’ve commanded over 40 police officers, double the size of the Weston Police Department.”

“I’ve done community policing, homicide investigations, and budgets. I have an extensive background in handling emotionally disturbed people. I’m a certified emergency psychological technician. I’ve devoted my retired life to dealing with the psychological needs of police officers and trying to prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Mr. Ferrara says a shortcoming of the current Police Commission is that “no one on the Commission has any true policing experience. However, I do believe we need attorneys, psychologists, and other responders in the mix.”

He added that he appreciated “some of the members’ concern and enthusiasm to address the needs of the citizens of Weston,” but believes the Commission has too many members. “We have one Police Commissioner for every two cops. That’s way too many. There’s no need for it. There should be five.” [This would require a Charter revision.]

On the current topic of speeding in town, he said, “with limited resources, the Police Department has done a diligent job. However, I think we need to add officers or be more of an enforcement town, especially on areas like Lyons Plain Road.”

Mr. Ferrara said he believes the need for more officers includes another sergeant, because the town is “below state mandates” by lacking a supervisor of rank on the late-night shift. “We rely on the senior man working to make decisions about things like arrests that he doesn’t have the authority to make.”

“I would also be happy with another SRO (School Resource Officer),” he said. “Or two more, one in each elementary school.” He said, “If there was to be an active shooter in one of our schools, the protocol that’s in place is that the SROs in the other schools would leave and address that situation. But another train of thought is: why are they leaving and not safeguarding their assets?”

“So if you want to eliminate any doubt, we need an SRO in every one of the schools.” He said he would “go with the full SRO instead of a School Security Officer (SSO).”

On the topic of vehicle thefts, Mr. Ferrara again said the department needs more officers. He also said the Police Commission “could do better.”

“I think there should be a little more community interaction, and for commissioners to do a little more investigating. It wouldn’t hurt a Police Commissioner to go sit in a car and watch the street themselves.”