Waite Park City Council May Approve Grant Funded Officer Position [AUDIO]

WAITE PARK -- The Waite Park City Council will decide on whether to accept the federal COPS Grant at tonight's (Monday) meeting.

The Waite Park Police Department applied for the grant which would fund another police officer position for three years.

The grant covers 75 percent of the salary and benefits for the entry-level position. The city would be required to match 25 percent.

Currently the department is working at full strength with 13 full-time officers and two part-time officers.

Police Chief, David Bentrude says they were eligible for the grant because of their high call volume.

If the council accepts the grant, the hiring process would begin immediately. Bentrude says the department has a current eligibility list.

The new officer would act as a school resource officer for  the Area Learning Center at Mckinely and Discovery School.

Bentrude says he hopes to have a candidate in mind within the next 30 days. The council will make their decision tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Waite Park City Hall.