August 21, 2019
Can Garrison have its own police force?: Two officers weigh in
BY DIANE NEWBERRY
Garrison is staring down the barrel of a year without a sheriff’s department contract. With the $160,000 that might have otherwise gone to the sheriff’s office, the town might look into starting its own hometown municipal department to enforce city ordinances and maintain a law enforcement presence around town.
“I don’t think it’s unachievable,” Chief Frank Senn, who has been chief of the Beulah police department for 19 years, said. “I do think it will be a lot of work for somebody.”
Beulah’s population as of 2016 was 3,376, making it a little more than double the size of Garrison. They currently have five officers, though Senn said they have had six at some points.
Senn said the standard in law enforcement is roughly a 500:1 ratio, meaning he would suggest a force of three officers for a town of Garrison’s size.
This was also the suggestion of Chief Troy Nogosek, who runs a one-man municipal department in Napoleon. Nogosek said the notion of a one-man department in Garrison wasn’t possible.
“1500 people? You couldn’t do it,” Nogosek said. “It’s too many people for 24-hour coverage.”
According to Nogosek, one man is stretching it even for his small community of 780 and he would hire another officer if he could.
Budget breakdown
“I don’t think it’s unachievable,” Chief Frank Senn, who has been chief of the Beulah police department for 19 years, said. “I do think it will be a lot of work for somebody.”
Beulah’s population as of 2016 was 3,376, making it a little more than double the size of Garrison. They currently have five officers, though Senn said they have had six at some points.
Senn said the standard in law enforcement is roughly a 500:1 ratio, meaning he would suggest a force of three officers for a town of Garrison’s size.
This was also the suggestion of Chief Troy Nogosek, who runs a one-man municipal department in Napoleon. Nogosek said the notion of a one-man department in Garrison wasn’t possible.
“1500 people? You couldn’t do it,” Nogosek said. “It’s too many people for 24-hour coverage.”
According to Nogosek, one man is stretching it even for his small community of 780 and he would hire another officer if he could.
Budget breakdown
