Stabilizing the police force

A couple of retirements have contributed to a turnover in personnel at the Walhalla Police Department. And the chief of police acknowledges that a change in at least one policy could help stabilize the force. The turnover issue was raised this week by city council candidate Chris Grant, a former policeman. Chief Ronald Wilbanks said today that removing the prohibition against allowing officers to drive squad cars to and from work would serve as an incentive to attract officers. Unfortunately, Wilbanks says, the department’s fleet of vehicles currently is not sufficient to allow that. Zach Covington has been approved to fill an officer position, and the police are anxious next month for a member of their reserve force to complete training so that he can join the force. Wilbanks says having the reserve officer as a full-time policeman will be especially valuable for his ability to speak Spanish and communicate with the Latino segment of the city’s population.