Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

Even with four scheduled

Even with four scheduled to join the force throughout November and December, the department will still be understaffed. Somerset Borough police Chief Randy Cox said his force should have around 20 officers. In the past, there would occasionally be one or two openings at a time, a situation he described as “completely manageable.” But Somerset is five officers short right now. “It’s close to being critical for us,” Cox said, “so what we’ve been attempting to do is visit and contact local academies in order to try to recruit officers for our vacancies.” All five of those vacant positions are uniformed patrol, meaning that administration officers and detectives must fill in, resulting in less time for them to do their regular duties. Cox called it “a vicious circle.” “The No. 1 problem it creates is that when you’re missing that many officers, we’re depending that much more on the officers that we do have,” Cox said. “Officers are working a lot of overtime, which means it’s costing us more money to operate the department. And probably even more importantly than that, officers tend to experience some level of burnout because they’re working more than they normally or historically would be.” The goal is to get approximately 2,000 more full-time officers in the commonwealth. Shapiro also recently announced the elimination of the college credit requirement for residents who want to join the state police. Applicants previously needed at least 60 credits, per a rule that had been around since the 1990s. MIAMI-DADE OFFICER WOUNDED IN SHOOTING, SAVED BY VEST A Miami-Dade police officer was wounded in a shooting in Miami Gardens Monday morning, according to an agency spokesperson. Law enforcement sources reported to Local 10 News that the officer, a member of the department’s Crime Suppression Team, was looking for a suspect in connection with another shooting over the weekend. During the operation, a car pulled up and opened fire, sources said. The officer ultimately suffered a graze wound to the face. The 29-year-old officer has been on the force for seven years and was in good condition, Miami-Dade police Director Stephanie Daniels said during a news conference Monday afternoon. Daniels said the officer was likely saved by his body armor. ILLINOIS POLICE SERGEANT, WIFE DEAD IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE HOMER GLEN, Ill. – A sergeant with the Glendale Heights Police Department and his wife are dead as a result of an apparent murder-suicide in Homer Glen, Illinois, law enforcement authorities confirmed. The Village of Glendale Heights said in a press release that Sgt. Michael Huff took his life and the life of his wife, Jackie Huff, inside their residence Sunday evening, CBS News Chicago reported. Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded about 5:46 p.m. to the 13600 block of Shannon Drive for a report of shots fired. The 911 caller heard the homeowners arguing, followed by the sound of gunshots coming from within the home. Upon arrival, deputies found the couple lying on the kitchen floor covered in blood. Both individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene by the Northwest Homer Fire Department. Investigators recovered a small caliber handgun close to the pair and concluded the murder-suicide was an isolated incident and the greater community was not in danger. Michael worked with GHPD for more than 20 years, and Jackie was a former employee with the Village of Glendale Heights. GHPD is working with the Will County Sheriff’s Office as it investigates the apparent murder-suicide. An autopsy for both individuals is pending, CBS News Chicago reported. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide, help can be found by calling the 988 Lifeline. WOUNDED MISSOURI OFFI- CER HOME FROM REHAB HOS- PITAL A Hermann, Missouri, police officer who was wounded in a shooting that killed a fellow officer earlier this year will returned home Tuesday night after spending over seven months in a Colorado rehabilitation hospital, the Hermann Police Department 70 The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue

The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue 71