Plymouth Police Chief requests additional officer; Board tables decision amid budget concerns

Citing a surging call volume and a growing population, Plymouth Police Chief John Weir approached the Board of Public Works and Safety this week to request the addition of a new full-time patrolman. However, the board opted to table the request to further scrutinize the city's financial outlook.

Weir explained that the department has operated with 25 officers since he joined the force in 1999. While the roster currently sits at 25, the active patrol staff is stretched thin. Two officers serve as School Resource Officers (SROs), one is assigned to the Drug Task Force, two are in the military and train annually and could face potential overseas military deployment, one will be away for six weeks of training this summer, and two are currently on sick leave.

Meanwhile, the demands on the department have skyrocketed. According to Weir, call volumes have jumped from 12,400 in 2023 to an estimated 16,500 in 2025. Traffic stops have more than doubled from 2,200 to 5,500 in the same period, alongside a doubling of infraction tickets.

Weir attributed this surge to population growth, pointing to new housing developments like the 234-unit Centennial Crossings and new residential builds on Baker Street. "The city’s population isn’t getting any smaller, and I just want to catch up to the population," Weir told the board.

Weir and HR Administrator Jen Klingerman assured the board that the current budget could absorb the cost of a new officer without requiring additional funding. Klingerman noted that even after accounting for extra pay and benefits, the budget currently holds a surplus of nearly $200,000. While the department estimates the cost of a new officer at $120,343, Weir added that the department already has the necessary hard equipment on hand, including a patrol unit, firearms, and older tasers.

Despite the department's need, Board member Duane Culp expressed reservations. Culp estimated the true cost of a new officer to be closer to $150,768 when factoring in all gear and benefits. He also voiced concerns over the unknown financial impacts of Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) on the city's future revenues.  "With SEA 1, what’s our tax rate going to be next year, and can we afford it?" Culp asked. "We cut the request for three additional staff from the Fire Department’s budget last year, but you want us to add another one. I’m not against it, John."

The discussion also highlighted a significant funding disparity regarding the city's SROs. Culp pointed out that the school corporation reimburses the city only $100,000 annually for two full-time officers, while the actual cost to the city is closer to $300,000.

Board member Dave Morrow agreed that the school reimbursement needs to be addressed in next year's budget. "The reimbursement for the SROs seems way out of whack," Morrow said. "We need to renegotiate or pull them out."

Chief Weir clarified to the board that having SROs is now mandated by state law.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to table the request. The delay will allow the Board of Public Works and Safety more time to dig into the financial data before making a final decision on expanding the police force.