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St. Helens police chief warns overtime will far exceed budget as hires arrive
Summary
Police Chief said the department has relied on voluntary overtime for 18 months to maintain 24‑hour coverage, projecting overtime costs of about $543,000 this fiscal year versus a $300,000 budget, while several hires and academy graduates could restore regular shifts by spring.
Chief Smith said St. Helens has been able to provide 24‑hour coverage only because officers have volunteered overtime for roughly 18 months and that the practice is unsustainable. “We were budgeted for $300,000 for overtime this fiscal year,” he said, “and after meeting with Gloria yesterday, we are projected to spend $543,000.”
Smith said the department is technically down six operational officers, the detective sergeant position is…
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