The Knox Police Department will have two additional part-time officers, following a recommendation approval made by Knox Board of Works members.
During his report Wednesday morning, City Police Chief Harold Smith told members that two of the current part-time officers also work as deputies for the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the other part-time officer on the force is North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher.
He explained that often times they are busy with those positions when part-time work is needed in the City which results in paying full-time officers overtime.
As a more cost-effective option, Smith recommended hiring two additional part-time officers to assist with covering shifts.
He explained, “One of the officers is Adam Behnke. He is currently employed with Culver Police Department.”
He noted that Behnke has been working for Culver’s force for about 2 years and prior to that he served on the Mishawaka Fire Department for several years.
Smith continued, “The other officer is Daniel Byrd. He previously worked for us the past year but took on another job and he would like to come back and at least work part-time and I could use him.”
Board members authorized Chief Smith’s recommendations for the part-time hires.
