The hiring process continues at the police department. Two applicants are in the background process which is quite lengthy. This process averages a couple of months but could take up to three months depending on numerous factors such as where the applicant has spent a significant amount of time during his or her life. If the applicant is not from our area, our detective will have to travel to conduct interviews with family members, employers, etc. We are hoping to be ready with two candidates whom will start at the end of September.

Firearms training was completed again this month. If you remember, we did have firearms training recently but this was a make up day for another training that had been cancelled earlier in the year. Our officers are required to have a minimum amount of this type of training per calendar year. At our police department, we strive to give them additional training, not just what is required of us through the State of Oregon. Next month we will have another session of defensive tactics training. Both of these training sessions are done in house. We have officers that are trained as instructors in these disciplines. Being able to provide this training in house cuts down on cost to our department and meets all DPSST requirements.

August is typically a busy month for your police department and this year was no different. Many of our officers take vacation time during this month so staffing is always a challenge. Overtime costs are generally up during the summer months but we do everything we can to keep those costs down.

An update for all of you on our “SWATTING” calls we had in the city limits. We have two subjects that we, along with the FBI and two other police agencies, are looking into. At this time, no arrests have been made. These calls originally required a heavy response from our police department because we will always air on the side of caution. This type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable and were doing everything we can to ensure whoever is responsible is brought to justice.

That is all for now. I hope all of you enjoy the rest of our summer.