Glen Arden's police chief flags staffing shortfalls as council and residents press for a police station update
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Summary
Police leaders reported 14 officers on patrol (with budgeted capacity for more), rising call volumes and requests for council support on pay and recruitment; residents and speakers urged prompt completion and funding for a new police station.
Glen Arden's police chief told the council the department is operating with 14 officers on patrol—below the department's budgeted staffing level—and that recent months show rising calls for service. The council and public urged progress on a planned police station and additional recruitment and retention measures.
Chief remarks combined quarterly crime figures and operational details. The chief reported lower overall crime compared with the same period last year for some categories but said the department handled more than 700 calls for service in August and nine stolen vehicles over a three-month period tied to a regional theft trend. The chief said the department had 14 officers assigned to patrol; the city's budget provides for more positions but several recruitments did not yield suitably qualified candidates.
Council members and members of the public pressed for progress on the proposed police station and for better recruitment tools including competitive pay, retirement, and use of grants or retention bonuses. Residents at the meeting said current police facilities lack adequate evidence storage, locker rooms and workspace. One resident said the current facilities were "unacceptable, outdated" and urged council to "fund the station".
Council and staff described recent actions: the council approved expanded retirement benefits earlier in the year and staff said they were pursuing grant opportunities and outreach to recruit officers. The police chief said the department had advertised positions for months without successful hires and that pay and retirement levels were limiting candidates.
No new hiring contract or pay action was adopted at the Sept. 15 meeting; council members asked staff to prepare follow-up information on recruitment efforts, grant opportunities and the police station construction schedule for the October work session.
Council members and staff agreed to follow up with a report on the station's construction timeline for review before the next legislative session so the delegation can advocate for state support in Annapolis, as requested by a state senator attending the meeting.