BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

Ogdensburg police

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg city council will offer a $15,000 sign-on bonus for officers willing to commit to a three-year contract on the force.

Council approved the resolution Monday after Ogdensburg City Police Chief Mark Kearns painted a dire picture of the city's struggling department.

Although the city has budgeted for 21 sworn officers, the department is limping along with about 16.

Kearns said the city has an injured school resources officer, a patrol officer who is out on a discipline matter, recently lost an officer who is transferring to the sheriff's department and a pending retirement.

The city has also had a vacant position in the department that's been unfilled for nearly one-full year.

The lack of staff could force the city to end a night shift due to a lack of officers.

Kearns said that to operate as a well functioning department the city would need to have 23 sworn officers.

He said the city has just one detective at this time. Last year he handled 33 violent crimes including one murder, seven rapes 21 aggravated assaults and four robberies.

Kearns said that that's nearly double the amount of violent crimes handled by Massena police, which has a staff of 23 working officers and multiple detectives.

Kearns said the lack of staff has made Ogdensburg a reactive department, rather than a proactive department and the criminals are aware.

"Our informants tell us that the drug dealers are laughing at us," he said.

Kearns said the bulk of serious crimes in the county occur within the city limits, which means Ogdensburg faces the most amount of crime with the fewest number of officers.

He pointed out that Ogdensburg police contend with arrests made at the border crossing and situations at Claxton-Hepburn, which is the county's only hospital with a mental health unit.

"We are a very unique city and a very unique agency," he said.

Kearns said a $15,000 incentive for new hires could encourage lateral transfers, that is, it could bring experienced officers to the department, which could save the city substantially in training and overtime costs.

"The simple fix would be, let's hire experienced officers now," he said.

Kearns noted that while the city is facing a very difficult time, the police shortage is a national problem.

"We are desperately short in this city. We need the help now. The citizens need the help now. Our officers need the help now," he said.

Kearns said bringing the department to 23 officers could help fight fatigue and burnout and make the department more stable.

He said retention has been a problem at the department for recent years and he and the current Lieutenant will be eligible for retirement in 2026. Kearns said the city needs to be thinking about the future, because the decisions made today  could take two-years to before they have an impact on the ground. That's due to the academy and training for officers.

Kearns' presentation and request was met with support from the council.