Two weeks after a pair of police officers were shot and killed on the job in Bristol, the city's mayor and police chief say they're impressed by the public's continued, overwhelming support for the Bristol Police Dept. and families of the victims.
Officials say well-wishers have been contributing generously to two official fundraising accounts for the families of Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy. Mayor Jeff Caggiano says Fund the First has raised about $515,000 and the Bristol Police Heroes Fund has brought in about $310,000.
"The outpouring of sympathy, grief and the need to help have been truly astounding," says Caggiano. "People want to do something, and people want to help, and we love that support of service."
Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould says he's hearing interest from those inspired to join the police force-- interest he says is badly needed.
Bristol currently has 122 officers on the job, according to Gould. 90 are available to patrol the city of more than 60,000. Gould is looking to add between 10 and 20 new officers as soon as possible-- preferably certified officers, who can brought up to speed in 4-to-6 weeks. The training process for new police takes about one year.
"We need quality, certified police officers," says Gould, who's looking to incentivize newcomers. He's asking the mayor and city council members for help developing "packages so that we can recruit and attract qualified, certified police officers to help us fill our ranks."
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--Gould had great praise for Officer Alec Iurato, who he says is recovering well after being shot in the Oct. 12 incident. Iurato is credited with shooting and killing the man who opened fire on police after they responded to a 9-1-1 call: "Officer Iurato is a true hero, and I know he can't wait to come back... I think we're going to see him back rather quickly, in fact, I'm probably going to have to be putting the brakes on him to make sure that he gets well."
--Caggiano expects the growing, flowery memorial to the officers will remain outside police headquarters for a few more weeks. He says a subcommittee to the city's police board will consider how to memorialize the officers on a more permanent basis.
