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Police chief says community support helped department through pandemic
Summary
Chief Martin reported a year-in-review for the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department, saying COVID-19 limited some activities but grant-funded supplies helped officers and the community; he told council there were no local ANTIFA/BLM incidents and offered a staffing-needs formula.
Chief Martin, chief of the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department, told the Snowflake Town Council on Sept. 1 that COVID-19 had hampered some departmental efforts this year but that the department had moved forward by purchasing supplies with grant funds to protect officers and residents.
At the council meeting, Lynn Johnson asked whether officers had experienced disrespect amid national unrest. "Just the opposite," Chief Martin said. "They've had an outpouring of support, which is par for the course in our area; this community is very supportive of law enforcement." He added that the regional anti-terrorism center monitors threats and notifies local departments when awareness is needed.
Chief Martin also said he could present a staffing-needs formula to the council to justify personnel requests. Councilors asked about staffing and local incidents; Martin said the department has not experienced ANTIFA- or BLM-related incidents within the Snowflake/Taylor area. The chief highlighted grant-funded purchases of supplies intended to keep officers and the community safe but did not specify grant names or dollar amounts.
The presentation was part of the council's agenda of routine business and preceded multiple administrative votes. No formal action on police staffing or new funding was taken at the meeting; Chief Martin offered to return with more detailed staffing data if the council requests it.
The council then moved on to ordinance and land matters and ultimately adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
