Northfield trustees have approved a budget amendment that will allow officers to expand their police ranks.
The expansion means the department will have 21 officers at full staff, up from the previous limit of 19.
At the last meeting of the full committee, Village Manager Patrick Brennan reviewed the results of a current study on police personnel levelsIt also recommended hiring three new police officers.
Brennan — who is working with Deputy Police Chief Michael Hutensky, who is filling in for Police Chief William Lustig, who is currently on voluntary leave — suggested hiring a temporary full-time police officer while also hiring another officer.
While the new officer was previously described as a part-time officer, Brennan clarified at Tuesday’s meeting that the new hire will be a full-time officer.
Because the budget for the current fiscal year covers 20 police officers, village Finance Director Kathleen Morley said the budget amendment was necessary to provide money to hire additional police officers.
The change provides the new officer with $96,516 for the remainder of Northfield’s fiscal year, which began in May. Morley and Brennan both said that figure is based on the new officer being hired in August.
The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that relies on reader support for its independent local journalism.
Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible reporting for your community.
Are you already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.