BPD receives approval to hire part time officer

Approval was granted to the Brockport Police Department for the hiring of a part-time patrol officer. The approval was granted during the regular board meeting on December 16. Approximately two months ago, board officials had given the police chief the go ahead to begin the hiring process for two part time officers. The hope is that with the part time officers on staff that overtime costs for the department would be cut down.

"Instead of having a full time officer working extra hours at a rate of $45 an hour, we can bring in a part time officer, and stay within our budget," Chief Daniel Varrenti said. "This hiring will cut down on overtime and will be a supplement to the full time officers."

Board members unanimously approved the hiring of Jeremy J. Tanner to the department. Varrenti said Tanner has experience as a booking officer in Irondequoit and as a part time Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Varrenti noted the department has recently completed its third STOP DWI checkpoint within the village. "It was successful in that we made three arrests," he said. "But it was more successful from a public interaction standpoint."

The checkpoint netted three driving while intoxicated arrests, he said. One driver refused to take a field sobriety test, one driver tested positive at a 1.4% blood alcohol level and the third tested at a 1.8% blood alcohol level.

As part of the checkpoint, officers stopped more than 100 vehicles and, in addition to the traffic checks, they distributed handouts to the drivers. "It was just good public relations for the department," he said.