Judge Meryl Wilson addresses Riley County Law Board
After several months of discussion, the Riley County Law Board came to an agreement on a budget for the Riley County Police Department. The budget amounts to about $20,291,055.19, which is nearly 2.7 percent over last year’s.
Included are additions for court security, a mental health designated employee, and a dispatcher. Court security created considerable discussion with a presentation by Riley County Court Chief Judge Meryl Wilson at the beginning of the meeting.
Wilson was asked how many officers he recommends to assist with security, saying ideally it would be good to have an officer in all courtrooms at all times–adding simply having a uniformed officer present has a calming effect. Judge Wilson didn’t have exact numbers with him–but talked to the group about problems nationwide in courtrooms, which tend to be very emotional settings. He said there are about 80 in the country in which a shooting took place which may not seem significant with all the courtrooms, but added “one is too many and I don’t want that one to be here in our community.”
County Attorney Barry Wilkerson, who also is a law board member, cautioned about the importance of preparation and having enough officers on hand in court for security…
Court security would involve four full time sworn officers and three non-sworn–with one non-sworn for seven months.While there were questions by some of the board members of possibly cutting back in that area, mental health changes seemed to have the support of all the board members.
Joe Knopp before law board
Local attorney and Manhattan resident Joe Knopp expressed concern to the board about the impact of increases on members of the public who can’t afford it, suggesting they should go slow in the area of staffing.
Riley County Police Director Brad Schoen (shone) commented on the additional staff that would be needed for court security, mental health, and an additional dispatcher–specifically addressing the court security matter that was being considered for possible cutbacks. He described the changes as “need driven” quickly adding, “I’m not up here lobbying to try to make to make my empire bigger. I’m just trying to tell you minimally why I think you need to do this.”
Board members eventually came to an agreement on the matter, approving the budget which had been tweaked for several months now.
Also Monday, law board members received a report from Captain Jeff Hooper about Fake Patty’s day expenses, which resulted in $46,114.23–while up from 2015’s $42,499.21, the 2016 number is down from both 2013 and 2014. Board member Wynn Butler indicated appreciation of the update, but added it’s only one piece of the financial picture, with Manhattan Fire Department and court expenses, and also profits made from the event needing to be included at some point.
And the board Monday approved a contract regarding their role and services with this year’s Country Stampede.
In other action, Life Saving awards were presented to Police Officer Tanner Monroe and Dispatcher Sarah Bell for the roles they played in saving a suicidal individual’s life in February of this year.
