by RICHARD KERNS
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER — The Keyser Mayor and City Council authorized the chief of police to hire a new officer to bring the department up to full force for sworn patrol officers.
The question of how the position will be funded, though, remained unanswered.
Chief Karen Shoemaker reported at Wednesday afternoon's regular Council meeting that the force is now down two officers due to staff departures. One of the vacancies will be filled Aug. 1 when a certified officer currently serving at Potomac State College joins the city force.
The status of the second vacancy had remained in question until Shoemaker received the Council's approval Wednesday.
With the new hire the police force would be up to full strength at 11.5 officers, including the chief. One officer works part-time.
In considering whether to approve the second hire, Councilman Bill Roy, who served as police chief before Shoemaker, and is now retired, asked whether bringing the additional officer on board would reduce overtime expenses.
Shoemaker said she generally only schedules overtime only for court appearances. The main impact from being one officer short, she said, occurs with staffing. While the department optimally maintains two officers on duty per shift, if one officer calls in sick or when someone is on vacation, the absence can create staffing shortages, leaving only one officer on duty.
“Right now, it's not so much overtime, as one person sometimes working by themselves per shift,” the chief said.
Roy then asked whether there is funding available in the budget for the additional hire. The current budget funds the police department at just under $764,000, which is an 11 percent reduction over last year.
Mike Ryan, the city's accountant, said it would be up to the chief to arrange funding accordingly, presumably with the department's current budget level.
“There's probably money in it,” Ryan said. “It's up to Karen if she wants to do that.”
Following the discussion, Roy proposed that the city approve the additional officer to bring the force up to full staffing. “I'd say if we have the money, do it,” he said. “Put (staffing) back where it was.”
The rest of the Council unanimously agreed.
If the new hire would have to attend the police academy, it could be 2011 before the officer is able to report for duty. Shoemaker said she would try to find a certified officer -- as was the case with the new hire coming on board Aug. 1 – sparing the city an estimated $20,000 in training, travel and other expenses associated with the academy, and greatly reducing the amount of time before the officer could begin working.
The next meeting of the Keyser Mayor and City Council will be 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11.
Keyser, W.Va. —
