Three Officers Added, But Force Still Short
Three Officers Added, But Force Still Short
Three new patrolmen will begin regular duties tomorrow and will augment a still short-handed Ann Arbor Police Department staff.
The three, Lee C. Cook, Harold Thompson, and Arvil Patton, have just completed four weeks of training. Their addition to the force will still leave the department 14 men short, says Chief Casper M. Enkemann.
Department strength was sharply reduced last November when 11 men, including two detectives resigned as the result of a pay dispute. The force at that time already was understrength by six men.
Men in the department have been working 12-hour shifts since that time. Enkemann says, however, he hopes that the department can revert to eight-hour shifts “in the not too distant future.”
He points out that possibly more recruits will begin training next Monday.
The chief indicates that the department has not been lacking applications. Inquiries have been received from as far away as Alaska, California, New York and Alabama.
Enkemann says that since Nov. 20, applications from 36 persons have been refused and that six approved applicants have changed their minds for various reasons.
Refusals result from failure of applicants to meet various standards required for employment, the chief says.
He points out that in some instances investigation has disclosed arrest records. Among other reasons was lack of recommendations after persons who have been associated with applicants were interviewed.
Latest total on miles traveled to conduct investigations is 3,570, the chief says.
Commenting on the rigorous nature of the requirements, Enkemann says, “I feel the people of Ann Arbor are entitled to the type of people who can meet the requirements.”
The chief says that some of the approved applicants were from out of town and changed their minds about coming to Ann Arbor because of inability to find housing. Cost was an important factor, Enkemann explains.
He also points out that a difficulty in finding men revolves around the night and early morning hours policemen are required to work. The chief says men will take other jobs offering no more money because of more regular hours.
The three new patrolmen all are armed forces veterans and represent three different service branches.
Cook served 21 months in the Air Corps in the 1944-46 period. Thompson is a Navy veteran of 22 months during the same years. Patton served 21 months in the Army during 1954 and 1955.
Cook, 30, is married and is the father of four daughters. They are Frances, 6, Linda, 5, Merri, 2, and Beth, 1. Cook and his family, who now live at 1330 Wilmot St. in Ann Arbor, plan to move to 316 W. Ainsworth St., Ypsilanti.
Cook formerly was employed on the ferries at the Straits of Mackinac. Formerly a resident of Levering, he was born in Muskegon. He was graduated from Pellston High School.
Thompson, 29, also is married and is the father of four-year-old girl, Patricia Ann, and a two-year-old boy, Brian. The Thompsons live at 1416 Arbor View Blvd.
Thompson, who attended Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti three years, is a graduate of Pershing High School in Detroit. He was born in Royal Oak. He formerly was employed at Argus Cameras, Inc.
Patton, 22, is a Lima township resident living at 8620 Scio Church Rd. He formerly was employed by the Economy Baler Co.
Patton was born in Coal Valley, Ala. He was graduated from high school in Pioneer, O.