By Glenn Rolfe

DAGSBORO — Town Police Chief Steven Flood says it’s time his department returns to its full manpower of four officers.

“I think we’re ready to move forward with getting our fourth person full time on board in the next couple weeks. So I’ll be looking to do that,” said Chief Flood on Monday.

The plan would be to bring on a fourth full-time officer and, in turn, cut back on part-time hours, he said.

Currently, Dagsboro’s police department consists of three full-time officers — Chief Flood, Sgt. Nicholas Disciullo and Cpl. Anthony Valenti — as well as part-time officers Rene McKinnon and Megan Loulou.

A fourth officer would bring the town “to where we were two years ago with manpower, so you’re really not gaining anything. We’re just trying to keep up with the town residents and their needs,” Chief Flood said. “The fourth (full-time) spot will be the one that we had vacant going on two years now. The part-time would just be on like more of a fill-in basis, if somebody is out on vacation or things like that.”

The force’s manpower discussion during Monday’s Town Council meeting included questions on how the position would be filled and the budget for police coverage.

“Do we have somebody in mind or are we going to advertise?” Mayor Brian Baull asked.

The chief said he has some candidates.

“We do have a couple applicants,” said Chief Flood, noting “they are currently working elsewhere. Yes, we have a couple people who are interested.”

Mayor Baull asked if the town’s budget could accommodate a fourth full-time officer. The consensus was it could.

"Yes, the budget has included the salary for the fourth officer," Dagsboro Town Administrator Cindi Brought said.

Councilman William Chandler III relayed to Chief Flood a question that he has been asked by some citizens, regarding rationale for a fourth officer.

“It is not meant to be a rhetorical or a trick question, but from time to time, I run into someone, and it’s not often, but it’s from time to time, and they are a resident of the town. And they say, ‘Bill, why do we need four police officers for little old Dagsboro?” he said. “So I would like you (to) help me give a real good answer when they ask me that.”

Chief Flood responded, “Forgive me, because I don’t have a lot of numbers in front of me, so I am going by memory. But if you compare our department to other departments — bigger departments, (like) six-, seven-, eight-man departments — we are handling just as many complaints as they are. And they have full-time, 24-hour coverage. And we’re handling, in some cases, more complaints than they are.

“There is evil in every community in this country. Sometimes, it just takes a while to show its evil head. But you give it enough time, it’s going show itself. So I don’t want to set the town up or the police department up for failure. I think having four, it isn’t too much to ask. It will give you more coverage for the town.”

Council did not take any formal action following its discussion Monday.