Glasgow Approves Hiring New Officers

By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor/Barren County Progress

Following the ceremonious pinning and oath of office of the Glasgow Fire Department’s new chief, Lucas Tinsley, Glasgow Police Chief Guy Howie successfully sought approval of a budget amendment for the hiring of two full-time police officers in the city council meeting on October 14.

Howie said the department currently houses 35 police officers. Due to an increase in service call volume and the resulting decrease in the department’s ability to be proactive in enforcement efforts and investigations, extra help is needed.

He explained that attention to detail and attention to investigations suffer when shifts run short. “This is not a level of service that I expect for our citizens and they deserve professional police service,” Howie said. “By adding these police officers, we will be better equipped to handle the growing demand and maintain high standards of service expected from us.”

In 2019, the Glasgow Police Department responded to 25,035 calls for service, and in 2023, that number jumped to 34,146 service calls. In 2019, Howie said the department had 37 officers in the ranks. Even with the current number of 35 hired police officers, some are not actively serving due to various reasons such as training, overseas deployment, and extended FMLA leave.

Howie said he has reassigned one officer from GPD to the Barren River Drug Task Force “because our fentanyl problem and meth problem is getting out of control.”

These issues leave the department with 31 officers to respond to service calls.

Howie said in the most recent payroll for the department, $12,000 was paid in overtime hours because officers are working extra to help cover shift shortages.

He also discussed the extensive time it takes to assist in mental health transports to Western State, and would later respond to an inquiry from the council that those transports are required to be completed by a police officer per state laws.

“If it’s ordered by the court, law enforcement officers do have to do the transports unless we turn it over to a mental health agency such as Life Skills, then they have people that can do some transports,” Howie said, adding that the neighboring county of Warren and Bowling Green utilizes the mental health agency for transports.

Historically, Howie said Glasgow and Barren County take care of them in their respective jurisdictions; however, the two departments assist one another if needed.

Howie said if he were to wait until next July when budgets are prepared for the new fiscal year, it would be a lengthy time before he could bring on board new officers added to the weeks and months new officers spend in training.

The cost for the two new officers, Howie said, is $168,000, which includes benefits in that number as well.

All councilmembers were present and the chief’s request was approved unanimously.