By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The City of Decatur will be increasing its police department manpower next year, adding a 21st officer to the ranks.
Also, the sergeant numbers will double, from 2 to 4.
The expense of an additional officer plus two officers getting promotions is in the city’s 2027 budget.
A budget of $14,690,530 is being proposed to the state; it represents just a .76% increase over the current budget.
The department currently has 20 officers, plus Chief Kevin Gerber and Deputy Chief Derek Loshe.
The sergeants are Trent Busse and Nathan Hunter.
Chief Gerber explained that the department has two day squads and two night squads.
“They work 12-hour shifts, providing 24/7 coverage,” he said. “When one day squad is working, the alternate day squad has their days off. The same method for the night squad.”
Thus, having four sergeants will provide one for each of the four squads.
Gerber is expected to get permission from the city’s board of works and safety at its next meeting to begin the hiring process.
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