Caledonia Police Chief Says Budget Cuts May Affect Response Times

Both the fire and police chiefs have requested additional staff. They are also both facing significant cuts to their budgets, and that’s assuming that both the fire and police unions agree to pay 5.8 percent of their wages into the state pension fund. Caledonia Patch is taking a closer look at the issue. Today we’ll focus on the Police Department. Come back on Tuesday to learn what the Fire Chief has to say.

Chief Toby Schey knows his department is understaffed.

He knows it isn’t much different than others around the country. He knows they’ve had to make due for years. And, he knows the draft budget slashes his budget from $3.5 million in 2010 to $3.1 million, a reduction of $400,000 or 11.4 percent. The budget also assumes that the two police unions agree to kick in 5.8 percent of their salary to pay into their pension, which have yet to be negotiated.

Still, the Village to hire two additional officers last week for the 28-member department he became chief of earlier this year. But he is concerned about potential layoffs. If he loses officers, this will have an effect on response times.

“And what we know is the sooner you get on scene, the greater ability you have to clear that call or solve that crime,” Schey said.

Even at the current staffing levels, covering a community of 25,000 with four patrol cars is a challenge. The department has also seen an increase in death investigations where they are having to process evidence to rule out foul play, which takes time to investigate. Calls for people needing mental health help have also increased 40 percent compared to last year, Schey said.

To put the staffing issue into perspective, Schey points to FBI numbers.

The ratio between cops protecting the citizens of Caledonia to 1,000 in population is one of the lowest in the state at 1.17 per 1,000. On average, the state has 1.8 police officers per 1,000 and nationally the ratio hovers around 2 to 1,000. So by Schey’s calculations and FBI recommendations, the department would be well staffed at 50 officers.

Five years ago the department had 34 officers, but retirements and have brought that number down to 29.

“We’re not saying we need to have to have 40 officers, but if I could have 35 to 36 officers, then I could easily handle what we have happening here,” Schey said. “But even two would help.”

The department has also seen an increase in violent crime. The department had five violent crimes in 2006. In 2010 they had 59. While some of those crimes in 2010 aren’t what Schey believes fit into the violent crime category, he said the department is busy.

But here’s why Schey made the request.

The low staffing levels leave his department in a vulnerable position, especially when he can only put four patrol cars on a shift.

“The impact is significant,” Schey said. “If we only have four patrol cars covering the Village and we have a personal injury accident, we can easily have those four officers tied up for hours blocking traffic and dealing with the crash itself doing interviews.”

When there are no available officers during those times, the Village calls for assistance from other police departments. That’s happening at least six times a month, Schey said.

Even if the Village Board wanted to add staff, there are also financial consequences.

Hiring just one new police officer would cost $76,000 and with levy limit restrictions imposed by GOP Legislators and Gov. Scott Walker, smaller government could come in the form of less police officers and firefighters.

“Less manpower means a more reactive police department,” Schey said. “But I get it, there’s a balance you need to have in protecting citizens and having it be affordable to citizens.”