Finding it harder to keep the police ranks filled, Oglesby’s city council approves hiring through lateral transfers. That’s allowing someone from another department who has risen above the level of patrol officer to start working in Oglesby at a comparable rank.
Fewer people are applying to be police officers. And more people are retiring or leaving police work. That can leave vacancies in higher-up positions when there aren’t officers from lower ranks ready to be promoted.
City attorney Patrick Barry told the city council last night, the lateral transfer policy won’t take effect until two weeks after the Oglesby Police and Fire Commission publishes a notice that it’s an option.