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Elgin Police Chief Chris Noble is set to make use of the department’s $5 million annual budget, the largest in city history, addressing staffing concerns.
Noble equates the statewide issue of law enforcement vacancies to the similar shortage of teachers in the area. He believes people don’t do these jobs for the money, but because they have a passion for it.
“As far as being stretched thin, that’s everybody, but I think we’re in a better position than most,” said Noble.
Officers are leaving departments where they don’t feel supported by their administration, they’re overworked and question if the pay is equitable to the amount of effort they put in, he added.
The chief sees the Elgin Police Department’s record setting budget as a healthy sign for his team and future officers.
“The five million goes to show what the support is from our elected officials,” said Noble, “it’s humbling and says a lot to the current staff, helping them feel supported.”
With eight potential officers in the academy currently, graduating in February and March, EPD is slated to fill all vacant positions.
Part of the budget will go towards the creation of new positions, as well, adding a detective, evidence technician and administrative support person, with four more patrol officers to come later this year.
Noble asked for positions he felt there was a realistic expectation to fill, trying to be a good steward of the taxpayer dollar rather than let the money sit for most of the year.
He hopes there to be over 50 employees in the EPD by this time next year.
“Here in Elgin, we enjoy a very supportive city council and city management,” added Noble. “The fact that we have, in effect, a waiting list for people coming to work here is a good demonstration of the morale of the department. Officers spread the word.”
The department leader hopes that the added personnel will allow them to get back to some “oldschool customer service” lacking now.
“This is a small town that’s growing, but there’s still a significant part of the community that remembers when this department was all things for all people,” said Noble. “That is what is missing, where we can be more helpful rather than running from call to call, taking away discretionary time to take part in some community policing.”
These new positions will help better prepare EPD for the rapid growth coming to Elgin.
Even if the municipal utility districts coming outside of city limits choose to go through the Sheriff’s Department for their law enforcement, residents will be in Elgin’s streets and out in the town, a part of the community.
With a growing school district, and the implementation of House Bill 3, Noble must also consider the potential need for school resource officers.
The Elgin Independent School District doesn’t currently use EPD officers to meet the required one armed guard per campus quota, but the two departments have discussed the topic.
If a deal were to be made with Elgin ISD, EPD would create a new SRO division from the ground up, a lengthy endeavor.
Not included in the approved budget, animal control officers remain a tough slot to fill. Both current positions are vacant with no trainees in the academy, leaving patrol officers to field any calls. Without specific training, they handle situations as safely as they can, or call upon Bastrop’s department for aid.
“It’s a tough job and it’s not for everyone,” said Noble. “We’re still looking for our unicorn.”
The department is about to renegotiate their contract with the Bastrop County Animal Shelter and are re-evaluating the pay structure for animal control officers.
Looking towards the future, Noble would also like to improve their mental health and victim services, and create a traffic enforcement unit. The team would focus on DWIs, currently averaging around four arrests every week.
