ASHLAND — On Friday morning, the Ashland Police Department reached its highest level of staffing since 2006.
Mayor Matt Miller administered the oath of office to Officer Grant Lifer, formerly of the Greenwich Police Department on Friday morning, bringing the staffing total to 29 of 32 authorized officers.
“The impact that increased staffing will have is a huge positive effect. Dividing the workload among more officers (means) less overtime and the ability to assign another detective,” said APD Chief David Marcelli.
In 2006, the police division was staffed with 30 officers.
“The economic downturn caused the division to lose officers to attrition without replacement,” Marcelli said.
In 2010, when he was promoted to chief, the division had 26 on staff. At its lowest since then, the number shrunk to 24.
The APD started 2020 with 28 officers. One existing officer resigned in January, and two new hires this past week brings the total to 29.
New hires like Lifer are required to complete at least 14 weeks of field training. Upon the conclusion of that training, Marcelli hopes to have three more officers ready to hire and place in field training.
