“The fact that we went from two armed robberies in 2016-17, and we’re not even through this year and we’re up to five tells you that things aren’t getting better, and we need to address it.”  – Stevens Point Police Chief Martin Skibba

By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — Local police could use some extra staff, according to Police Chief Martin Skibba.

Skibba asked personnel committee members to approve two added positions to the police department, which include a new drug officer, and a part-time community service officer.

According to a study completed by Assistant Chief Tom Zenner, a 25-year study identified changes needed within the department’s staffing, which potentially calls for a additional drug officer to address the issue in the area. A 2016 Manpower study concluded that the Stevens Point Police Department is understaffed by as many as eight personnel members.

With the use of methamphetamine heavily increasing in the area, Skibba asked officials to approve the additional drug officer, which would be exclusive to the position. As of now, to fill the spot, Skibba has brought over an investigator from the Investigations Bureau. However this shorts that unit of a person to work full-time on general investigations.

The city is able to fund $20,000 of the position, but would need additional funds to fill the role. A drug officer’s salary is approximately $86,000, which means the city would need to find other sources to fill the $66,000 gap.

Extra funds will not be needed to fill a part-time community service officer to address the growing parking needs in the area.

The move will see a final vote at council on Sept. 17.