First Sergeant Mark Hoffman with the Winamac Police Department submitted a request to add more officers to the Reserve Program during last Monday’s town council meeting.
Sergeant Hoffman explained that a few people who work for the Police Department are looking to switch positions.
“We recently had three jailers express interest in being reserves.” Hoffman went on, “I would like the board’s permission to move forward with them. It will cost the town $100 per person for insurance and probably another $100 [each] to get them outfitted.”
Town Council President Tom Murray wanted to make sure the town would be covered if any of the reserve officers were injured in the line of duty. President Murray said he was worried that the $100 provided for insurance wouldn’t be able to cover the costs associated with an injury such as the cost of lost wages or potential litigation.
The members approved Hoffman’s request, under the circumstance that the town’s policy would sufficiently protect the town from any exorbitant charges.
Since the meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger stated that any new reserve officers would be covered under the town’s accident and sickness policy which covers up to 25 individuals.
Now that officials have confirmed that the reserve officers will be covered, Sergeant Hoffman is permitted to carry forward with adding the interested individuals to the department’s Reserve Program.
