March 7, 2024 |
Photo – Saratoga Police Department – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Saratoga Police Department is looking to hire two new officers. One will be transferring from the soon-to-be defunct Medicine Bow Marshal’s Office.
Former Medicine Bow Deputy Marshal Charles “Mac” Holt and an unnamed second candidate are under consideration to join the Saratoga Police force.
Last year, the Saratoga Police Department lost two of its full-time officers. In August, seven-year veteran Sergeant Tyler Christen resigned his position with the local police force to join the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office as a resource officer for school district number two. Earlier in the month, K-9 Officer Glen Casner tragically ended his own life.
The loss of the two officers left Saratoga with only three full-time lawmen: Chief Mike Morris, Lieutenant John Moore, and Sergeant Ken Lehr.
Chief Morris has made it known that hiring law enforcement officers is becoming increasingly difficult. Speaking at the January 18th Saratoga town council meeting, the police chief said a lack of affordable housing and lower-than-average starting pay are keeping qualified candidates away.
Chief Morris also said the demands of policing may be too much for the current generation of workers.
Things appear to be looking up for the understaffed police department. During Tuesday’s Saratoga town council meeting, Chief Morris said he has two applicants moving through the officer testing phase. The police chief said the Medicine Bow council’s decision to shutter its marshal’s department has brought Deputy “Mac” Holt to Saratoga.
Chief Morris said Deputy Holt is in good standing with the Medicine Bow Marshal’s Department. The police chief said Holt’s transfer to the Saratoga police should be a quick and easy process. Chief Morris said he expects Deputy Holt to be ready to join the Saratoga PD within two weeks.
Chief Morris said Deputy Holt’s law enforcement experience will benefit his department.
Deputy Holt isn’t the only person who has applied for a job with the Saratoga Police Department. Chief Morris said a second, unnamed local man, has expressed interest in joining the police force. The chief said he is waiting for the young man to complete the required physical and psychological testing before introducing him to the town council. Chief Morris said he needs all the people he can get.
Having two more full-time officers on the Saratoga police force will help Chief Morris keep the peace, especially during the upcoming Saratoga Days. The police chief said the number of attendees for summer-time event appears to grow every year.
