(Spirit Lake)– With his department already down one officer since last October and about to lose another due to a resignation, the Spirit Lake city council Tuesday voted to meet Police Chief Jeff Hanson’s request to lift a hiring moratorium and hire two more officers half-way.
Hanson made the request a second time, siting an increasing caseload and the upcoming busy summer months. But councilman Jerry Harbst, who also serves on the city’s Public Safety Committee, said the committee was not in agreement to immediately hiring two additional officers, but instead was in favor of hiring just one.
Councilman Jeff Thee sided with Hanson, siting the recent “Broken Arrow” drug investigation and the growing problem with narcotics in the area and other issues resulting in an increased caseload for the department. Thee added “This isn’t going to improve, and I don’t think we’re going to help our citizens by shorthanding our Police Chief”.
Thee then made a motion to lift the hiring moratorium and approve the hiring of two additional police officers. The motion was seconded by councilman Clyde Ihrke. It failed on a two-to-three vote with Thee and Ihrke voting in favor and Harbst, Kevin Bice and Steve Balm voting against.
Following some additional discussion, a motion was made by Balm to allow the hiring of one officer. It was seconded by Harbst and was approved unanimously.
