FARMINGTON — The Farmington Police Department is receiving a $20,000 grant to pay for patrols to enforce drunken-driving laws.

The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved accepting the state grant administered by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.

The funds will be used to offset overtime for four-hour shifts, police Chief Jack Peck told the board. Along with patrols, checkpoints are being considered, he said.

Peck also asked the board to allow him to purchase three new radar units with potential help from a matching grant.  

The board approved the department’s application for an equipment grant from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. The grant would pay 75 percent of the equipment’s cost up to $10,000, he said.

Replacing the three oldest radar units in police cruisers would cost $9,090, Peck said. The grant would pay $6,817.50, leaving the town responsible for $2,272.50, he said.

The amount will be taken from the department’s public safety or vehicle maintenance account, Peck said.

One radar unit has already been replaced. The remaining three are nearly 10 years old. They work, but run nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Peck said. They are on throughout an officer’s 10-hour shift. 

Technology in newer units would allow police to measure multiple lanes and vehicles moving from different angles, those moving away from the cruiser and those coming towards the cruiser, he said.

Peck also asked the board to amend the police contract in regards to assignment notification.

For many years, the contract has required that the chief give an officer 12 days notice of any changes in their schedule, except for emergencies, he said. 

Peck requested the time be reduced to three days of notice. 

Farmington officers and the Farmington Police Bargaining Unit are in agreement with the request, he said. The board also agreed.

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