Timberlake swears in officers and weighs body‑worn camera and cruiser funding options

The Village of Timberlake on Dec. 17 approved multiple personnel resolutions and discussed funding and equipment options for the police department as Chief Nick Dolbin outlined training priorities and a body‑worn camera grant effort.

Council suspended the three-reading rule and approved a set of personnel resolutions to hire auxiliary and part-time officers; oaths of office were administered to several new officers. The council also approved Resolution No. 2024-26 to transfer $15,000 from the General Fund (1000) to the Police Cruiser Fund (4901), bringing village availability to approximately $55,000 for a cruiser purchase; councilors said they would pursue matching grant opportunities.

Chief Dolbin told council that all officers are carrying Narcan and that the department is pursuing first-aid certification and additional training opportunities. He discussed ongoing efforts to secure a body-worn camera reimbursement grant: an Axon system was quoted at nearly $48,000 for three cameras and a five-year agreement; an alternative, Motorola Watchdog, was estimated at $14,000 for five years; a $9,000 provision option for five years was also noted. Dolbin said the grant is reimbursement-based and that he is checking whether the village is tied to a particular vendor.

The chief also reported operational items including range qualifications, potential revenue from hosting taser training, exploration of drone use and training, and plans to apply for state and federal grant funds for cruisers and equipment. Council noted that the Ohio Attorney General approved payment for a 75% match on a Body Armor Grant. The council and chief did not take a final purchase vote on body cameras at the Dec. 17 meeting; staff will pursue grant details and bring recommendations back to council.