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Police chief reports hiring progress, training takeaways and outreach to unhoused resident
Summary
Chief Seals told the council on Oct. 7 that interviews for new officers are underway (with some no-shows), that staff attended FBI media/social-media training, new cameras have arrived, and that officers are attempting outreach to an unhoused man the chief described as likely in a mental-health crisis.
Chief Seals updated the Carbondale City Council on staffing, training and ongoing outreach to an unhoused individual during the Oct. 7 meeting.
Chief Seals said she has completed interviews to hire additional officers but experienced several no-shows for scheduled interviews. She noted a staff member attended a free FBI training on media and social media that the city found valuable for managing the city's public postings. Chief Seals also reported that new cameras have arrived and that Mariah Shultz graduated from the police academy.
On outreach, Chief Seals described an unhoused man the department is monitoring and trying to help. According to Chief Seals, the county obtained the man's name and record; the chief said the man appeared to be having a mental-health crisis, was not confrontational and had made statements such as "they are dropping nukes," which have made mental-health engagement difficult. Chief Seals said she has contacted multiple mental-health providers but that services have not engaged until the individual is willing to speak. Attorney Barnes recommended, as temperatures fall, considering referral to the county attorney to pursue an involuntary commitment if the individual is a danger to himself; Chief Seals said such commitments are difficult to obtain in Osage County but that she and the attorney would explore options.
Chief Seals also reported a safety issue where a slab popped up at a railroad crossing; police coordinated with maintenance staff and BNSF to repair the crossing and reopen it.
The council entered executive session later in the meeting on a personnel matter and returned with no formal decisions reported. Council members did not take further action on the outreach matter during open session.
