Police say mobilizations will not hurt services

Although a large-scale deployment of forces could take up to 10 percent of some local police departments, the recent mobilization of National Guard units and reserves has not yet impacted the departments.

Deputy Chief Steve Odum, of the Carbondale Police Department, said the department has one officer who has left for military service, but up to five more could possibly be called to action. In a department of 60 sworn officers, the deployment could require some the department to undergo some changes. This includes limiting some programs and positions not vital to emergency services.

Advertisement

Odum said members of the department may “move out of administrative and staff positions to make sure we provide basic services.”

He said the department does not have any plans or contingencies for the loss of officers, but it will continue with all the basic services.

“When they come up and tell us they’ve been activated, we’ll deal with it then,” Odum said.

SIUC Police will not lose any officers, but one student patrol officer has already been called to duty.

Master Sgt. Rick Hector, spokesman for the Illinois State Police, said the activation of military units will not have any major effect on the state agency.

“We have less than 5 percent of our sworn work force that’s attached to a National Guard unit,” Hector said. “We don’t foresee any sign of problems with this interfering in the service we provide.”

Hector said there are more than 2,000 state troopers.

Advertisement*

Sgt. Michael Hooks, of Illinois State Police Dist. 13, which covers the Carbondale area, has five of its 50 officers in military service, about twice the state average.

“We’ve got quite a few guys in the National Guard,” Hooks said. “We’ve sent quite a few to Desert Storm.”

Hooks said at least one of the troopers, a lieutenant in the National Guard, was told to be ready to go.

“We haven’t lost any yet,” Hooks said. “I think we’ve got five in the guard who are susceptible.”

He said the department will perform business as usual and try to do more with less. The district covers seven counties, including Jackson, Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Washington and Jefferson.

The State Police cannot replace absent officers because of the state’s hiring freeze, and budget cuts have already reduced funds.

Hooks said the department puts extra effort into supporting officers who are in the military.

“We go above and beyond what the law tells us to do,” Hooks said.

He said the department makes up for money lost by officers mobilized for military service. A trooper making more monthly pay than received in military service would receive enough money by the state to make up the difference. For example, a state trooper making $1,000 less monthly while serving in active duty would receive an extra $1,000 from the state.

Hooks said the department also works with a trooper’s schedule to maximize vacation and compensatory time to continue paying them for as long as possible.

He added that troopers who served during the Gulf War were able to come back with the same seniority and pay as when they left.

Reporter Greg Cima can be reached at [email protected]