Watkins hears about police investigator

WATKINS GLEN--Along with witnessing the swearing-in of new part-time officer Alyssah Newell, Watkins Glen Police Sergeant in Charge Ethan Mosher informed the board of trustees during the Tuesday, May 4 meeting the village has a real need for a part-time investigator as well. In other police matters, the board also voted to increase the pay rate for part-time officers from $18 per hour to $19.70 per hour.
Mosher mentioned there are non-peace officer supervision-type jobs with a flashlight that make more than Watkins Glen part-time police officers.
While Watkins Glen is a safe and peaceful village, Mosher said there is much more work involved in the job and that it can be difficult to attract new officers when the pay is so low. The board voted unanimously to pass the pay increase.
After the pay increase was passed and Newell was sworn in, Mosher said he would like to open a discussion about the possibility of hiring a new part-time investigator.
"So I know that we have had issues with the investigator position in the past where it didn't work out, if you will, but I do believe that in the future we have a big need for a part-time officer in charge of investigations," Mosher said.
Mosher added there would be plenty of work to keep an investigator busy. He mentioned during the pandemic crime has increased.
"There has been a lot of criminal behavior recently taking place, some solved, some not, some solved quickly, some go cold," Mosher stated.
Due to the multifaceted role that many officers have to play in the department, cases must be prioritized and investigations can be time-intensive or require additional travel.
"I can't remember when I had the staffing to go do interviews and do follow-up legwork," Mosher said.
For the victims involved, the crime is not minor.
"We have a lot of stuff that goes unsolved, that doesn't get the actual attention it deserves," Mosher said. "Some don't see it as a big deal, for some victims it can be the end of the world. It's tough and overwhelming and not fair to the community, we give it our all but more can be done within our departments to get these crimes solved and get the legwork done."
Mayor Luke Leszyk agreed that there is most likely enough work for a part-time investigator to work 20 hours per week. Mosher agreed but said his initial estimates are looking more at 10-12 hours per week with more hours available as needed, paid on a scale determined by any potential candidate's qualifications and no benefits.
When asked if it might be difficult to find candidates for the position, Mosher said a former investigator from Tompkins County has already reached out and that he has other candidates in mind as well.
"This is being brought up for discussion purposes, it is not something that has to be done tonight or next week or next month," Mosher said.