By Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com

WINDSOR—The town could double its police force within months.

Interim Windsor Chief Sgt. A.V. Reynolds is initiating an auxiliary program which could add as many as three unpaid officers to the force. The department already has three paid officers in addition to Reynolds.

“I’ve had so many inquiries about this possibility,” said Reynolds. “These are people who are willing to take on the responsibility of an auxiliary member for various reasons.”

“Some are former police officers who love the job, and some are people who have a passion for helping. In any event, it’s a good thing and I decided to see if it would work here.”

Reynolds said he has completed writing policies for the program, such as law enforcement requirements, training and other requirements.

He will bring this information before Windsor Town Council for approval. If approved, Reynolds will begin screening candidates. The process could take as long as six months.

“Candidates will be subject to the same background checks as any policeman, and get the same training when he passes,” Reynolds said. “Once approved, he will wear a uniform and have the same duties as our other officers, including carrying a weapon and making arrests.

“The only difference is that auxiliary officers do not get paid—this is strictly voluntary,” he added. “Our main focus is to have responsible people give some relief to our current officers, by cutting down on their overtime hours, while still providing safety in town as well as providing more services to the community.”

Considering the budget constraints of most towns, this could be the answer to several money problems,” Reynolds said.

He thinks he has found the answer to another problem—youth inactivity.

Reynolds is starting a program called the Youth Auxiliary Program, where a responsible young person is chosen as an ambassador who will act as a liaison between the department and the youth.

“We want to give them something to do,“ he said.

“I heard of one county, whose Parks and Recreation Department held fundraisers to raise enough money to build a skate board ramp,” Reynolds said. “That sounds like a good idea to me.”