EAST HELENA — Public safety is getting a staffing boost in East Helena. Earlier this month, the East Helena City Council unanimously approved a new police hire to bring the department to full staffing.
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“Extra people on the streets help us cover our shift if we have somebody sick, on training, or on vacation,” East Helena Police Chief Ed Royce said.
“We are excited to be fully staffed, and having quality and professional police personnel serving the residents is always going to be a priority for the administration and elected officials of East Helena,” East Helena Mayor Kelly Harris added.
Right now, full staffing looks like six sworn officers and one admin evidence tech.
“Calls for service are increasing, so the demand is there,” Royce said.
Another factor adding to the department's workload is a change with East Helena police and Montana Highway Patrol. Now East Helena is responsible for crashes on the highway within city limits.
“That has increased work for us as well because now we take care of the bigger crashes,” Royce said.
Royce also says with these changes, he hopes to add at least one more officer in the near future.
“Provide better officer safety, better coverage because when we don’t have somebody on it falls to the sheriff’s office for coverage,” he added.
The position has been filled and was already in the city’s budget. “We are going to have to grow along with the city,” Royce said.
The last time the department was fully staffed was in February.
