How is the Village of Newark handling its shortage of police officers?
According to a joint press release from Mayor Johnathan Taylor and Police Chief Rich Martin, the village is opting for a two-prong approach.
First, shifts are being temporarily changed to allow for overlapping coverage when most needed. This will result in no staffing during times when there is typically a low volume of calls; however, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office will handle coverage during those times.
Secondly, the department plans to hire part-time officers to alleviate the shortage, while continuing to search for full-time employees.
Due to retirements, injuries, and resignations, 42% of the department’s patrol staffing is unavailable.
This has resulted in officers working additional hours for the past couple of months, something that the mayor and chief say isn’t healthy for the officers and their families over a prolonged period of time. The potential for overly tired officers patrolling the streets is also a concern.
