Belleville Police Services Board November 2017. (Photo: Quinte News)
The Belleville Police Services Board has moved to improve safety for citizens while also improving life for its officers.
Today (Thursday), the board voted to hire 2 supplementary officers who, after basic training, will serve as 4th class Constables.
The supplementary officers would begin patrolling in the fall of next year and will help replace four officers who are now on indefinite leave for various medical issues.
The hiring will not significantly affect the service’s budget and Chief Ron Gignac says the extra help will ease the stress on the front lines.
The actual staff numbers won’t increase by two officers because when an officer comes back from medical leave, a position left vacant by a retiring member won’t be replaced until the approved staffing strength is reached.
