SE Illinois News

Fairfield residents who have called for police service might have been having to wait longer for a response as the city struggles with a severe staffing shortage of police officers

With that, the Fairfield City Council is entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the county sheriff’s office to better serve the public.

“I feel that our residents need the assurance that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if they make a call, whether it's a uniform of blue or a uniform of tan, that response is there and the needs are met,” Mayor Gary Moore said during the Dec. 13 city council meeting, video of which is on Facebook. “With the short staffing of the police department, you can’t expect them to work the amount of time that will be required for 24/7, which is not safe for them. And, you know, it's not good for their health.” 

Fairfield's force is at minimal staffing, without enough officers to properly cover the jurisdiction. Another officer will be leaving for a military deployment sometime in February, further straining the department.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department stands ready to step up and help, sending deputies to cover city calls when needed.

The sheriff’s office is paying overtime rates of $50 per hour to help cover the city, according to a five-year agreement. The pact can be terminated should the city reach more adequate staffing levels early in its contract period.

The agreement calls for deputies to provide up to eight hours of help per week, but the city will be billed only for the time deputies are called to serve in its jurisdiction, and the time can exceed eight hours if necessary.

Fairfield had considered bringing recent retirees back to the active payroll. 

Aside from staffing issues, the city department is in the middle of a legal challenge as a sergeant who was put on administrative duties is suing. The suit alleges that he was punished after he recommended that a resident file a complaint against another officer over an incident.