Merit Board approves hire to fill patrol vacancy after officer departs for Covington

The Attica Merit Board voted July 1 to offer full-time employment to Nate Hennessey to fill a patrol vacancy created when Officer Dylan leaves for the Covington Police Department on July 22.

Chief (named in the meeting only as “Chief”) told the board the merit hiring list, established during the department's prior process, ranked Hennessey as the top candidate. "That will leave an open position and would request Merit Board approval to hire Officer Hennessey," the chief said. A board member moved to proceed with the hire and another seconded; the board voted in favor, with those present saying "Aye." No member recorded opposition.

The chief said Hennessey has policing experience with the Covington Police Department and "has been through the academy," and that he is already enrolled in the department's retirement system, which would ease the transition. Meeting comments indicated the hire is for a full-time merit officer position; no start date or employment-effective date was specified in the meeting record.

Board members discussed that shift assignments and patrol coverage will be reassessed as academy graduations increase and staffing stabilizes. The board did not set a separate implementation timeline or publicly announce a projected first day for Hennessey.

The vote followed the board's procedural motion to offer employment; the motion was moved, seconded and approved in a single meeting action. The chair closed discussion and the meeting proceeded to other business.