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Indianola council agrees to backfill one police officer amid coverage gaps and overtime costs
Summary
The council reached majority consensus to backfill one vacant police officer slot after Captain Hawkins reported staff were covering shifts with overtime and senior officers; members balanced budget concerns with operational needs and decided to proceed before the new city manager fully assumes duties.
Captain Hawkins told the council Indianola’s police department currently has 22 sworn officers and asked to backfill a vacant officer position. He said the department was covering shifts with overtime, lieutenant and captain reassignments, and that continued vacancies increase operational costs and reduce patrol staffing levels.
Councilmembers discussed timing, noting the city’s general fund constraints and that a newly hired city manager will start soon and review broader budget priorities. Several members urged waiting for a budget review; others stressed immediate operational needs, citing an officer on extended light duty and frequent shift coverage by higher-paid staff. The council reached a majority consensus (four members) to proceed with backfilling the officer position to reduce overtime and coverage strain.
Council asked staff to coordinate hiring timelines, training expectations for a non-certified hire (about a ten-week timeline until road-ready) and contract terms for academy investment (a four-year service agreement with prorated payback for separated hires). The council noted the staffing-study target of 24 officers but agreed the immediate backfill was warranted.
Next steps: staff will begin the backfill process consistent with city hiring policies and training timelines; specific hiring actions will be handled administratively.
