New Hampton Police Department Back in Hiring Mode, Looks to Hire Part-Time Officer
The New Hampton Police Department (NHPD) is in the hiring mode once again.
The NHPD is currently down one officer who has been out for medical issues since last July. Coming up in March, their newest officer, Lucas Kleckner, will be tied up with training to become the new K9 handler.
Since that will leave the NHPD short two officers, Chief Conrad Rosendahl sought permission from the City Council Monday (01.19) night to advertise to hire a certified part-time police officer. Asked how it might affect his department’s budget, Rosendahl noted it was better to hire someone part-time versus continuing to pay current officers overtime.
The request was approved on a 5-0 vote, as was Rosendahl’s request for compensation for being the K9 handler since Ozkar joined the staff last July, which, through the end of January, will come to over 90 hours of additional regular pay. The Council also signed off on paying Rosendahl for over 66 hours of overtime pay
After a recess to discuss the issue, the Council also approved Rosendahl’s recommendation to modify the Comp Time policy from earning comp time after working 90 hours in a pay period to earning comp time once he has worked 80 hours in a pay period.
As for injured officer Cory Frank, the Council approved extending his additional unpaid leave after Frank said he anticipates he can resume full-time police activities in approximately three months. Until then, Rosendahl said he is willing to allow Frank to work in an administrative position at the NHPD.
