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Ordinance OKs part time officers, changes how chief hired

An ordinance approved 7-0 by the Hoopeston City Council allows for the hiring of part time officers and also changes how future police chiefs will be hired. Once hired, part time officers may be used to fill in for such things as vacations and when full time officers who also serve in the military are on their military duties, said Ald. Brandon Hamilton, police committee chairman, at Tuesday’s Hoopeston City Council meeting. Part time officers will supplement the department as “a helping hand,” he said. Part time officers will be hired by the police chief, with the advice and consent of the council. They must be at least 21 years old, have proper training, and be able to pass medical, psychological and physical agility tests. The ordinance also changes who will hire future police chiefs, moving the duty from the Hoopeston Board of Police Commission to the mayor, with the advice andconsent of the council. Hoopeston police chiefs had been hired by mayors until the mid– to late 1970s, when hiring was moved to the police commission. The change was recommended by the city’s attorney for police matters, Hamilton said. Ald. Bill Goodwine was absent from the meeting and so did not vote. In related business, Hamilton said Sgt. Jim DeWitt has been named acting chief, following the death of Police Chief Mark Drollinger on July 6. A moment of silence was held for Chief Drollinger. “The community has really suffered a loss,” said Mayor Bill Crusinberry. In unrelated business, the council: Unanimously approved an ordinance to sell the former Essex Building, listed at 325 N. Dixie Hwy. Approved the annual appropriations ordinance. Heard from Ald. Alex Houmes that new playground equipment is being installed at Northside (Cheese) Park. Heard from Crusinberry that the city’s former mister for mosquito abatement has been located and two parks employees have volunteered to become certified to use it. No action was taken.

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