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Wildwood Crest debates replacing seasonal Class 2 officers with three full‑time hires amid recruitment shortfall
Summary
Police Chief Lloyd proposed suspending the Class 2 seasonal program and hiring three full‑time officers, citing statewide declines in applicants and rising hourly rates; commissioners asked finance staff for detailed cost estimates before potential ordinance introduction in September.
Police Chief Lloyd urged the borough to suspend the seasonal Class 2 program and use that recurring budget to hire three full‑time police officers, saying the Class 2 pool of applicants has dwindled and costs have risen sharply.
"This is a non sustainable program," Chief Lloyd said, arguing Class 2 recruits are fewer and more expensive than in prior years and that the borough spends recurring recruitment and training dollars that leave town each summer. He told the governing body that Class 2 hourly rates in some jurisdictions have reached $25 and that the borough repeatedly invests in training and equipment for short‑term hires.
Mayor (no personal name given in the record) said a draft ordinance drafted by borough counsel had been circulated for review and that staff and attorneys should return suggested edits before a possible formal introduction at the next meeting in September. The mayor also described several options for the borough's employment strategy and emphasized concerns about housing and legacy costs tied to full‑time hires.
Resident Mike Marino, speaking during public comment, said "doing nothing is not an option" but pressed for clarity on total costs, including benefits, equipment, onboarding, vehicle and other legacy expenses, and asked whether taxpayers would shoulder the cost or if other funding mechanisms would be used.
Chief Lloyd and other staff answered that many costs tied to recruiting and equipping Class 2 officers are recurring and that some savings from ending the seasonal program would offset the expenses of hiring full‑time officers. He asserted that shifting to full‑time hires would provide more experienced, better‑trained officers familiar with the borough year‑round.
Commissioners asked staff to produce detailed financial estimates. The mayor requested that Finance Director Francine, the police chief and resident Marino meet to review spreadsheets so the governing body can make a funding decision before any ordinance introduction. No formal vote occurred on the staffing plan at the meeting.
The governing body left the item on the agenda for further review and signaled intent to consider formally introducing the ordinance at the next meeting after receiving the cost analysis.
