The Hesston Police Department will hire an additional police officer. The Hesston City Council approved the action after some discussion of shifting budgets Monday night. Police Chief Chris Eilert made the case to the council for the hiring. An officer informed him that he plans to pursue another job in 18 to 24 months. Eilert said the city, in the past, had trouble finding quality applicants for open positions, and he had a strong applicant, a Hesston resident currently working at another interested department. “He will be getting out if he can’t find something,” he said. “He fits perfectly what I’m looking for in this position. I know it’s a big undertaking.” The undertaking would represent around $90,000 of unbudgeted expense for the city to add the position until the other officer leaves. Eilert said he planned to defer the purchase of vehicles to help offset the cost. He also noted savings in part-time and overtime for the department with the hire of around $10,000. Other savings would come from one officer planning on being gone for more than a month due to a deployment with the National Guard. These savings still leave the city slightly short of the cost. “I’ll look, and if I can’t find it, I’ll give my 5.5 percent back,” Eilert said of his past raise. “That’s how much I want to get this guy.” Council Member Susan Swartzendruber asked Eilert what the new officer would bring skill-wise to the city. Eilert said he didn’t want to divulge too much to give away the applicant’s identity but he had skills and training the department currently didn’t possess.
Source: Harvey County Now
