Small police departments struggle for personnel

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The statewide personnel struggles affecting police departments statewide have been particularly challenging for smaller police departments, as the Hamilton Police Department can attest.

Last December, Hamilton saw its police chief and two police officers resign on the same day. Within a month, Hamilton had hired a police chief with who had long law enforcement background, including service with the Drug Enforcement Administration. However, on May 2, the City of Hamilton issued a press release saying the new chief had resigned. For City Administrator Lauran Dannar, the personnel and recruiting challenges happening throughout the state are often multiplied in smaller departments.

"I think because there is such a shortage that larger departments with larger budgets are far more attractive," Dannar said. "They can offer higher wages that smaller departments are able to offer."

Dannar said Chief Mark Wolf, hired in January, resigned without incident. It was simply not the right fit for him. A part-time interim chief has been hired by the department. However, she added that in a department the size of Hamilton's even replacing one officer can mean a 20%-25% force reduction.

"Our police department, fully staffed, would have four to five officers total, including the chief," Dannar said. "A good mix for us would be maybe two seasoned and two new officers."

That is easier said than done, though. Even larger police forces like St. Joseph, a town of approximately 70,000, currently has anywhere from 12 to 18 openings. Many of those who are eligible for hire in St. Joseph, according to the police department, would be paid while attending the police academy and most would be hired at a competitive rate. Dannar said a department like Hamilton, a town with a population of just under 1,700, might be able to send a candidate to the academy, and the former chief did some recruiting in the area, but the challenge of size and lower wages would still exist.

Dannar is hopeful, however. She said she and the elected aldermen of the city would continue to make opportunities known and would interview interested and qualified candidates. Meanwhile, she said that the Caldwell County Sheriff's Department, headquartered in nearby Kingston, Missouri, has an arrangment with Hamilton for coverage of crimes and other legal matters that arise. Furthermore, nearby cities are already working with the dispatchers in Hamilton to make sure that calls do not go unanswered.
Interested applicants for the Hamilton Police Department should inquire on the city's website at cityofhamiltonmo.city.