The Bremen Police Commission recommended to the Bremen Town Council members to allow police officers to take home squad cars.
Town Marshal Brad Kile explained to the Bremen Town Council members that the Police Commission members agreed to allow qualified police officers to take home their patrol cars, which Kile said allows more patrol vehicle to be taken home.
“Not all of the officers qualify,” said Kile. “If they live too far outside of the zoning area, they would not be able to take their vehicles home. At this point in time we have two that live outside that area. So, now we’re down to 10 vehicles that would be out. Right now I think we have five guys that take their cars home so it’s going to be another five vehicles that would be placed at officers’ homes.”
A form was included that discusses the instances in which officers can operate their patrol cars while off duty which will be monitored at all times.
Town council member Michael Leman commented that visibility of a police squad car is a positive thing with an officer allowed to take it to different places in town to conduct personal business. It also allows for a quicker response time if additional officers need to respond to an emergency.
Town Attorney Anthony Wager suggested tweaking a few things in the policy, but Kile suggested leaving some of it to the discretion of the Town Marshal and Assistant Town Marshal.
The town council members will review the policy and act on it at an upcoming meeting.
