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Police chief reports lower call volume, facility mold finding and equipment concerns; asks council to consider KP&F retirement option
Summary
Hillsboro Police Chief Jesse Hebert presented a 12‑month activity report showing about 3,137 logged calls, highlighted staffing and recruitment concerns, described mold found in ductwork after a ceiling collapse and asked the council to consider switching police retirement to KP&F to improve recruiting. He also warned that current taser handsets are being phased out by the vendor.
Chief Jesse Hebert delivered the Hillsboro Police Department’s annual 12‑month report and asked the council for help recruiting and for attention to several facility and equipment issues.
Hebert said the department recorded about 3,137 total calls in the July‑to‑July reporting period, including 257 civil‑type complaints, 366 criminal complaints and 45 accident reports. He explained that the 90 standard offense reports are case reports submitted for prosecution and may include multiple offenses per case number.
Hebert described a recent ceiling collapse in his office and an inspection that found localized mold in ductwork and registers. He said ServiceMaster and other contractors are preparing remediation estimates; staff emphasized the city does not currently believe employees are working in an unsafe environment and that targeted HVAC/duct remediation is likely the first step.
On equipment, Hebert said the department’s current taser handsets and cartridges are no longer supported by the manufacturer and that parts and batteries will become unavailable over the next few years. He urged the council to consider replacement options when current units fail, noting tasers serve as an intermediate weapon that can reduce lethal‑force outcomes. Hebert also outlined the patrol fleet status, said several vehicles have been in service a long time, and asked the council to consider retirement/compensation changes to retain and recruit officers.
To aid recruitment, Hebert asked the council to consider moving police employees from KPERS into Kansas Police and Fire (KP&F) retirement coverage for new hires; staff later factored a tentative KP&F transition into the draft 2026 budget scenarios. Hebert closed by noting the department pursues grants and donated equipment where possible.
Council members asked follow‑up questions about the remediation timeline, costs and whether the department would need to vacate portions of the building during work; staff said contractor estimates are pending and that the city will proceed quickly once figures are available.
