Official To Hinsdale Cops: Tell Us When You're Retiring

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale is poised to hire another officer, even before a position comes open.

This means the village would go over budget by $84,000 in salary and benefits. The village has an authorized strength of 25 sworn officers. For a time, the number would be 26.

According to the village, a 30-year veteran in the police department is eligible to retire at any time.

The village says it takes an eight-month turnaround between hiring an officer and deploying that person on the streets. That's because of testing, the academy and field training.

"I am very supportive of the police department's request here," Trustee Luke Stifflear said at a board meeting last month. "Given what's going on in society, it's important we keep our police department fully staffed at all times."

He said the police department has identified someone for the officer position, Stifflear said.

"He hit all the high marks," he said.

With the board's approval of the extra position, the police chief is expected to extend an offer to the candidate, officials said.

Village President Tom Cauley said it's hard to keep the department at full strength when the village does not know when officers are planning to retire.

"It would be nice if the more senior officers would let us know what their plans are," Cauley said. "I'm not putting pressure on people to retire, but I would just like to know what their plans are. The more educated we can be on what people's plans are, the more we can manage the process."