Brockport Police Department
looking to slash more overtime

In an effort to save money, Brockport’s Police Chief Daniel Varrenti requested the board approve the hiring of two part time police officers.

The request was made at the regular board meeting on September 16.

"Right now we have five part time officers," Varrenti said. "Three or four of them work full time jobs and aren’t always available when we need them, and we have to fill in those hours with full time officers."

The cost for the full time officers to fill in, Varrenti said, is approximately $44 per hour compared to the price of a part time officer at $14 per hour. "The hiring of two more part time officers could save the village $30 per hour when we need to have extra hours filled in," he said.

The village would have to outfit the officers, who would receive no benefits, and they would be paid straight time. "It’s ludicrous to pay $44 an hour when we could have a couple more part timers," Varrenti said.

Brockport Mayor Josephine Matela said she concurred with the need for the extra officers. Varrenti explained that additional duties such as working during parades and festivals warrant the need for more officers and the Stetson Club contract states the village is allowed up to eight part time officers.

Trustee Morton Wexler said he didn’t disagree with the need for the officers. "I know you are considering it as a way to save the village money… I know your intent," he said. "I just get a bit nervous at the timing when we are looking at having a meeting in a couple of days to discuss the dispatch situation."

Having a good police presence is essential at events like the arts festival, Trustee James Whipple said. "When I was there I saw a couple of sergeants on duty," he said. "You probably couldn’t get the part timers to work that weekend and I have a good sense of the concern on what we pay in overtime."

Trustees Peter DeToy, Whipple, Wexler and Mayor Matela approved Varrenti’s request. Trustee Norman Knapp vetoed it saying he needed a projection on what the cost savings would be with the addition of the two part timers.

Varrenti also told board members that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there are five police cars on the road. Over the past couple of weekends, he and Code Enforcement Officer Scott Zarnstorff said, they have been cracking down on house parties within the village. Zarnstorff has been riding with the officers on investigations of noise complaints at the parties being hosted by college students. "At one party we were called to, there were at least 200 people in attendance," Varrenti said.