High:50°F Low:32°F
WAXI 104.9

Search

Police Chief Weir seeks clarification of officer's uniform credit policy

Monday, November 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Police Chief John Weir asked members of the Board of Public Works and Safety for clarification of purchases with the Uniform Credit policy.

Last week, the chief told the board that several of his officers have purchased floor mats for the squad cars to keep the mud, water, slush, and debris from getting all over their vehicles using their Uniform Credit.  He said other officers have purchased window tints from an approved vendor for the squads using their uniform funds. 

Chief Weir said Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski does not agree with allowing those purchases to be out of their Uniform Credit.  She believes the floor mats should be paid from the department’s Garage and Motor line item, while the window tint should be paid from the Repairs and Labor line item.   

City Attorney Jeff Houin read a portion of the city’s policy that stated, “It is understood that the term clothing credit is not limited only to clothing items; this includes all items that an officer might need to perform their duty to the best of their ability.”  The attorney said, “Under approval authority, it states, the chief of police and assistant chief of police have the authority to determine if an item is employment related.”

While Chief Weir approved the purchases using the officer’s Clothing Credit line, the clerk did not pay the invoices from the officer’s funds but used the department’s Repairs & Labor line and Garage & Motor line.  Chief Weir said he made the presentation to straighten out the confusion. 

Councilman Duane Culp said he felt a clothing allowance was just that, for clothing, not for something outside of the officer’s uniform. He suggested that, when equipping a squad car for $20,000, do the window tinting and floor mats at that time with those funds.

Chief Weir said the officers use their clothing credit to purchase ammunition for practice, and I allow it.

Councilman Dave Morrow said he believed those were vehicle expenses, and as long as the Police Department has the funds in their budget, he would cover the cost of floor mats and window tinting there. 

Councilman Morrow made a motion to pay for floor mats and window tinting out of the department’s funds instead of officers using their uniform credit, and Councilman Culp seconded the motion. All four members voted for vehicle equipment to be paid for by the department and not the officers. 

Chief Weir said he still needed clarification because the clerk recently denied a purchase for socks by an officer, but had paid for another officer’s socks early in the year.  He wanted clarification of the city’s policy that gives the chief and assistant chief the determining power.

When Board member Don Ecker asked if the policy should be revised and the attorney said the policy clearly stated the chief and assistant chief have the power to determine if an item is employment-related and therefore an eligible purchase.  He said if the Board of Works wants to clarify purchases, then the board should look at revisions.  He said, “You are taking discretion away from the chiefs.” 

Board member Duane Culp will sit with the city attorney to recommend some changes to the current policy. 

Share

More from Local News