Saratoga’s new police chief said the chain of command in the department is efficient, and will not be immediately hiring a new assistant police chief.
Saratoga Chief of Police Tom Knickerbocker, who was promoted to the position late September, said he has other staffing priorities, other than strengthening the chain of command.
“Our chain of command is efficient as it is right now,” Knickerbocker said.
Knickerbocker said his main staffing priority is to hire a new school resource officer and road patrol officer.
The school resource position is covered by a COPS grant, and has been vacant since SPD officer Ken Lehr was reassigned to a road patrol position.
Knickerbocker said the department has experienced difficulty keeping the position filled since Stan Bragg, the first officer to fill the position, retired.
“We have struggled keeping that position filled ever since then,” Knickerbocker said.
The school resource officer is responsible for dealing with school issues, patrolling school sports events, dances and classroom training. Knickerbocker said that officer also helps cover sick days and time off, and also works road patrol on Friday evenings.
Knickerbocker said hiring a new assistant chief of police could be done in the future.
“That can be done in the future, but I think it is important to get staff up first,” he said.
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