Question from Anonymous

mayor connely. do you think the general public realizes that on most days thAT YOU HAVE 3 OFFICERS WORKING THE ENTIRE CITY OF bEREA. dO YOU THINK THAT THEY ALSO KNOW THAT EACH SHIFT IS SCHEDULED FOR ONLY 6 AND NOW WITH AN OFFICER LEAVING TO GO TO THE MARINES THAT YOU NOW HAVE 1 LESS. DO YOU THINK THAT HIRING THE 3 OTHERS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS SUMMER WHEN YOU WANT THE PARK TAKEN CARE OF FULL TIME? ALSO THE ONES YOU HIRE WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE ACADEMY FOR 16 WEEKS AND THEN GO THROUGH A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR 16 MORE. wHAT HAPPENS IF A FEW MORE QUIT? nO ONE WANTS TO GO ANY WHERE ELSE BUT PROMISES NEVER HAPPEN AND THEY ARE TIRED. SUPERVISORS ARE UNABLE TO SUPERVISE BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING AS 1 OF THE 3 AND NO ONE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THAT ALL OFFICERS HAVE VACATION TIME SICK TIME AND DAYS OFF. i THINK YOU AND THE CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND i WOULD LIKE ACTION INSTEAD OF JUST WORDS. OH BY THE WAY i HEARD YOU SAY THAT WE KEEP GETTING QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO APPLY. tAKE ANOTHER LOOK AND SEE HOW MANY APPLIED AND HOW MANY COULD PASS THE TEST THE LAST GO ROUND. iF WE HAVE A UNLIMITED POOL TO PICK FROM WHERE ARE THEY?

Steve Connelly answered:

The issue of an adequate number of police officers to cover our city is important as is the continuing issue of retention and recruitment. I will continue to get feed back on the upcoming interviews and the pool of candidates. I understand that at least one candidate is already certified and can start work if hired.