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South Jacksonville to add full‑time officers as department nears fuller staffing
Summary
Police Chief Eric Hansell said three officer candidates passed required checks and have start dates in August; the board approved hiring and discussed a potential lateral transfer pending psychological evaluation.
Police Chief Eric Hansell told trustees the department handled about “400–450 calls for the month of July” and is moving to fill vacancies with new full‑time hires.
Hansell said three candidates — named in the minutes as Sheryl, Ben and Evan — passed backgrounds, psychological exams and physical-agility tests; Evan and Ben were scheduled to start Aug. 18 and Sheryl on Aug. 23. The chief also said a lateral‑transfer candidate could join in roughly three weeks, pending a psychological examination. Trustees approved hiring as presented.
Chief Hansell framed the hires as part of restoring the department toward full staffing levels; Treasurer Mindy Olson later noted the village has budgeted for a fully staffed police department and does not expect the additional hires to require budget changes this fiscal year.
