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Commission approves immediate hire to fill police vacancy amid staffing shortfalls
Summary
The commission voted to recommend hiring one police officer immediately to address minimum‑staffing concerns, citing overtime pressures, training requirements and recruitment competition; commissioners insisted on standard vetting and noted the department has roughly $37,000 in temporary savings from vacancies.
The Marshfield Police & Fire Commission voted to recommend hiring one police officer immediately to fill an approved vacancy, concluding the department can cover the added cost from savings generated by unfilled positions.
Chief (police) said the department is about two officers short at patrol and one in detectives, with one officer deployed on military duty, and has realized approximately $37,000 in savings because of those vacancies. He told commissioners two academy recruits are available and that the department’s contract allows hiring academy students at 80% of starting pay while they complete training.
Commissioners pressed the chief on vetting and recruitment. Commissioner Pinker and others said they support immediate hiring but emphasized that the department should not “just fill a seat” and must complete thorough background checks and qualifications. The chief replied the post had previously been approved in November and that staff would continue a rigorous vetting process.
The panel also discussed operational impacts of short staffing, including reduced ability to approve vacations without overtime, difficulty backfilling special events and sending personnel to annual mandated training. The chief said minimum patrol staffing levels have required overtime that strains personnel and complicates detective promotions.
The commission approved the recommendation by roll call. Next steps are for the chief to proceed with hiring and seek final approval through the finance, budget and personnel committee as appropriate.
