Select Board Adopts Updated Use-of-Force Policy

Select Board · Meeting of October 13, 2026

Middleton's Select Board voted unanimously to adopt an updated use-of-force policy required under a statewide minimum standard. Acting Police Chief Armitage said the state's Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission finalized a model policy in March 2026, prompting a three-page amendment covering de-escalation, deadly-force restrictions and a new ban on "kettling" crowds. Armitage said he reviewed the changes with Middleton Police Union President Brian Kelly before the vote and plans a three- to four-hour officer training session before the policy governs daily enforcement.

"The biggest focus has been on de-escalation," Armitage said. Separately, the board heard that 54 percent of developed North Main Street parcels violate the corridor's 100-foot front setback, with a working group recommending the Planning Board reduce it to 50 feet ahead of an October 26 public hearing. The board also accepted a gym-equipment donation from Salvatore DeMartinis of Planet Fitness and approved warrants totaling $1,037,891 in payroll and $1,468,036 in bills payable.

In the full story:

• Warrant and Minutes Approval
• Town Administrator Updates and Reports
• Department Head Update: Veterans Services
• Acceptance of Donation: Planet Fitness Gym Equipment
• DOER Consolidated Permit Process Appointing Local Government Representative
• DCR Notice of Land Acquisition, North Liberty Street
• Update to Use of Force Policy
• Public Comment
• Town Administrator Annual Review
• North Main Street Corridor Study Update
• Executive Session
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,607 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.