Council approved the hiring of an additional full-time police officer to help with their current short staffing situation.
According to the Auditor of the State of Ohio, Monroe has has 31 percent fewer police positions per 1,000 citizens than the peer average, including 38 percent fewer sworn officers per 1,000 residents.
Adding to this workload is Monroe’s large service area, as the number of patrol officers (including sergeants) per square mile is 78 percent below the peer average. Although MPD has an equal number of non-sworn staff when compared to the peers, it is employs dispatchers in-house whereas the peers contract out this service.
When staffing levels are examined in relation to historical and current crime rates, the low staffing levels in MPD may have a negative effect on crime prevention and deterrence within the City.
Source: Auditor of State of Ohio