The Dublin police force dropped from two to just one full-time officer last week, after Sergeant Jeremy Jeffers left for a job with the Department of Homeland Security before the town could complete the hiring process for a previously existing vacancy.
“For now we’re just working with our full-time Chief and part time officers,” said Selectman Dale Gabel. Dublin usually maintains three full time officers including the chief, and four part-time officers. Gabel said that citizens with nefarious intent shouldn’t get any ideas: “Our part-timers are filling in just fine,” he said, and that state police help when local departments need more coverage.
“Its been OK so far, it’s only been a few days, but we’re all right,”said Chief Timothy Suokko on Wednesday. He said Jeffers’ last day was Sept. 27, and his new federal position is in upstate New York. He said the town would begin to advertise for Jeffers’ replacement as soon as possible, but he was unsure whether they’d seek another sergeant specifically.
The Dublin Select Board held an emergency nonpublic session on Sept. 26 to discuss the proposed starting salary for another full-time officer. The new officer, Brandon Blair, will begin in Dublin on Oct. 14. He previously worked in Ware, Massachusetts.