Interim police chief reports staffing at 50%, two nearby fatalities and plans for new online reporting

The interim police chief told the council the department is operating at about 50% road staffing after an officer’s resignation and outlined steps to increase coverage and training while hires proceed.

"Currently staffing on the road, we're at 50% staffing," the interim police chief said, and described schedule adjustments under the union contract that add targeted coverage beginning Sept. 1. He said interviews are scheduled for lateral candidates and explained hiring timelines—about six months for lateral hires and up to 15 months for new recruits—because of background checks and state training requirements.

The chief reported two recent fatalities in the corridor near the city and said alcohol was a significant factor in at least one crash. He said Marion County is enhancing enforcement in the area and that he is coordinating with the Marion County Sheriff's Office and county public works on inconsistent speed signage feeding into a traffic circle.

The chief also announced a signed contract for MyPD Connect, an online reporting tool that allows residents to file non-emergency reports in their native language; he emphasized this will not replace emergency calls and urged residents to use the dispatch center for urgent matters. "This is, in my opinion, an important thing for the police department and a really great thing for the community," the chief said of the service, which he expects to launch this fall.

The chief described recent multi-agency training (active-shooter and CJIS records training), plans to deploy speed trailers and grant-funded overtime to target early-morning speeders, and coordination with animal control on loose-dog complaints. He said the overtime is structured so the costs are grant-refunded where available.