November 9, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Police Department sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
Citing a lack of staff, the Saratoga Police Department is considering using the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office to handle dispatch services for the Platte River Valley.
During Tuesday’s Saratoga town council meeting, Police Chief Mike Morris said the Saratoga Police Department is short staffed. Chief Morris said later this month, he will no longer be able to operate a 27/7 dispatch center.
Chief Morris said he has applicants for the dispatcher positions, but pre-employment checks can be lengthy. In the meantime, the police chief said he spoke to Sheriff Alex Bakken about having the Sheriff’s Office handle dispatch services for Saratoga. Chief Morris said installing the necessary equipment into the Sheriff’s Office in Rawlins would cost approximately $20,000 and not happen quickly.
Instead of moving the entire dispatching operation to Rawlins, Chief Morris said he and Sheriff Bakken created a short-term Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU would have a dispatcher from the Sheriff’s Office physically come to the Saratoga Police Department to handle emergency service calls. Chief Morris said Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip is reviewing the agreement.
Chief Morris said the town will have to pay a Sheriff’s Office dispatcher around $75 an hour to work in Saratoga. The police chief said that is the same price the town already pays for a Saratoga PD dispatcher’s salary and benefits.
Chief Morris said it would cost $33,725 to have a dispatcher from the Sheriff’s Office operate in Saratoga for 12 weeks. The police chief said he is investigating where to find the money.
Chief Morris said the council didn’t need to make a decision on the MOU yet. The police chief said he simply wanted to update the council on how dire his staffing issues are.
Saratoga police dispatchers work 12-hour shifts. Chief Morris said the long hours and lack of available housing appears to be keeping away dispatcher candidates.
Chief Morris said he is considering a switch to eight-hour shifts to attract more applicants. The police chief said he may need to factor in an employee’s request for more time off when filling the dispatcher positions.
Mayor Chuck Davis said the town is contractually required to provide dispatching services for Encampment. Mayor Davis said if the police department doesn’t have enough workers to honor the contract, they must work with the Sheriff’s Office.
Councilwoman Kathy Beck asked if it would make more financial sense to permanently outsource the town’s dispatching services. Chief Morris said a 2021 agreement to have the Sheriff’s Office fully take over Saratoga’s dispatching duties put the cost close to $200,000.
Mayor Davis said the town may have to further investigate the option of outsourcing the dispatching services in the future. Councilman Jerry Fluty said people would rather have someone who is familiar with the area directing emergency personal.
The Saratoga town council expressed their approval of the temporary MOU to have the Sheriff’s Office supply a dispatcher to work out of the Saratoga Police Department. The council will make a decision after Town Attorney Waldrip gives her legal opinion on the agreement.
Sheriff Bakken presented the MOU to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners on Tuesday. The commissioners approved of the agreement and instructed the sheriff to move forward.
Without an influx of new employees, the Saratoga Police Department will have to make drastic changes to the way it operates. Mayor Davis said the best way to attract applicants is to promote the North Platte River Valley as a reason to move to the area.
If you are interested in joining the Saratoga PD, as an officer or a dispatcher, contact the department at 326-8316.
