Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Clovis Chief of Police Roy Rice said four Public Safety Aids have gone on to become police officers.
Clovis city commissioners Thursday approved funding for more personnel and equipment for the Clovis Police Department.
Clovis Polce Chief Roy Rice appeared before commissioners in his request for six more budgeted positions for Public Safety Aids.
Rice described how the PSA program, implemented about 18 months ago, has been a success and has led to four becoming police officers so far.
According to details in the commission's agenda packet, the PSA program assists CPD officers in covering calls and helping the community.
"The PSA program developed in the manner we hoped it would by allowing us to draw experienced people from the PSA to fill the vacant police officer slots," reads the commission material.
"The transfers from the PSA (program) have more experience in decision making, report writing, traffic control and contacting the public than a newly hired police officer," read the information.
The cost to the city of the budgeted positions would be $360,000 annually, including salaries and equipment.
City Manager Justin Howalt said money would come from excise taxes on cannabis sales in the city.
Clovis police officers will also be receiving new tasers after a funding measure was approved by commissioners.
Commissioners approved the release of $147,355 from the city's general fund, along with an already budgeted $36,638 for 40 tasers.
According to the commission's agenda packet, the tasers being used by CPD personnel now are "over 12 years old. These devices are supposed to be cycled out every 5 years according to the manufacturer."
In other business:
• Commissioners also approved abatement including demolition of two uninhabitable houses on Prince Street.
The houses are at 712 and 1209 N. Prince.
• Leo Lovett and Vincent DiFranco applied for an open position on city's Economic Incentive Board.
Commissioners elected Lovett to the position.
• Receiving honorary clock awards for being top city employees were Angel De La Cruz for supervisor of the quarter and Assistant City Clerk Vicky Reyes for distinguished line employee of the quarter.
• Mayor Mike Morris issued a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Clovis.
