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Police chief urges hiring and academy slots as trustees debate budget trade-offs
Summary
Police Chief Phil Bernard presented February enforcement statistics and said recruiting remains a challenge; the chief proposed sending a recruit to the academy and trustees discussed using training funds or home-rule equipment dollars to support hiring two officers, with a motion to move forward appearing on the agenda for follow-up.
Police Chief Phil Bernard reported February activity and outlined staffing needs and recruitment challenges, asking the board for permission to send a recruit to the academy and for flexibility on funding. Bernard said call volume and turnover have increased overtime costs and that expanding to 10 full-time officers would keep two officers on the street more consistently.
“We average 339 calls a month,” Bernard said in describing workload and the operational need for adequate staffing. He proposed sending an academy candidate starting May 1 (a four-month class, followed by field training) and discussed a three-year reimbursement agreement for trainees who leave before the term ends.
Board discussion focused on budget trade-offs, use of the PMT training fund versus home-rule equipment budgets, and timing: some trustees supported hiring two officers now if funding can be shifted from equipment accounts; others recommended phasing hires and reviewing budget projections before committing to new full-time positions. The finance committee and administration will return with budget scenarios and an implementation plan for hiring and equipment trade-offs.
