Brockton City Council defeats home rule petition on retired police officer details

BROCKTON -- May 11, 2026, Brockton City Council rejects home rule petition on retired police details, moves $9 million in free cash. The council voted 4-7 against a petition filed by Councilor Farwell that would have authorized the mayor and police chief to appoint retired officers as special police for private detail work up to age 70, a provision already in place in communities including Whitman. Farwell argued the measure was narrowly scoped: "It is not for regular police duties. It is not for regular assignments." The body also voted 11-0 to transfer $9,043,440 from certified free cash to a Chapter 324 Supplemental Reserve and accepted approximately $1.12 million in state grants to the Police, Fire, and DPW departments. Nine appointments were confirmed unanimously, including Jorge Vega as Chief Information Officer and Alex Arthur Gayard to the Brockton Housing Authority Board of Directors. A reconsideration vote on a failed quarterly trash fee ordinance, which would have charged residents $130 four times per year, passed 7-4, sending the measure back to the council for a future vote.