Payson presents police staffing update; department says hires and promotions improved ranks to about three-quarters of authorized strength

Chief Public Safety Director David Stopp and Commander Jesse Davies told the Payson Common Council on Oct. 22 that recent promotions, lateral hires and academy graduates have strengthened the police department while recruitment continues.

Stopp said the department reorganized command staff this year after two commander vacancies. Jesse Davies was promoted to commander and a lieutenant position (Ben Anderson) was added to oversee patrol. Stopp described the new structure as adding “support in the operations,” including a commander, a lieutenant, a detective sergeant, four patrol sergeants and one administrative sergeant.

Commander Jesse Davies provided staffing numbers: recent lateral hires included officers who came with experience (one returning officer and officers from other departments), and the department graduated recruits from the police academy in June. Two academy graduates (Officer Haley Kraus and Officer Sam Winters) completed field training and are now independently assigned. One recruit is in the academy and expected to graduate in December. Davies said those changes brought the department to roughly 76% of its authorized sworn strength (the department's authorized complement is 34 sworn positions).

Davies said there were three lateral candidates and two additional laterals in background who, if all successfully complete background checks and field training, could bring staffing to about 91% of authorization. Stopp described background checks and hiring as comprehensive, including interviews of acquaintances and previous employers, polygraph and psychological exams.

Council members asked about costs, academy commitments and attrition. The council discussed a pro-rata payback policy the town holds for recruits who leave for other agencies within three years; Stopp said the town could require reimbursement of training costs in those cases but typically treats enforcement of that fee case-by-case.

Why it matters: Payson officials said stronger staffing and a clarified command structure aim to improve patrol coverage and department stability while recruitment continues. The town indicated ongoing budget and organizational discussions will address whether the authorized complement should change in future budgets.

Officials and next steps: The town manager and police command said staffing and budget discussions will be part of upcoming budget deliberations; several recruits and laterals remain in background and training. No formal council action was requested at the Oct. 22 meeting.