BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Frequent cancellations and delays at the city airport are putting further strain on an already stressed police department, according to Ogdensburg Police Chief Mark Kearns.

Following a request from councilor Dan Skamperle, Kearns gave an update on the state of the city police department.

“Times are tough down there without a doubt,” he told the council.

Kearns said the recent loss of two dispatchers created an abundance of unexpected work typically handled by the unsung heroes.

“There is a lot of work that’s not getting done and we’re like who did that?” he said.

The answer, Kearns said, was the dispatchers. He said it was a “much bigger loss” than what was shown on paper.

Kearns said overtime has become an everyday part of the job. He said the current staffing levels have resulted in officers called in so often they avoid answering their phones.

Kearns said the lieutenant has had to go to their residences and force them to come.

“That’s insanity,” Skamperle said.

Kearns said that while the city has 19 officers, it really only has 16 able to perform all duties currently.

“So our 19 isn’t really 19,” he said.

Kearns said a major contributor to overtime is caused by what he described as the worst airline to ever fly out of Ogdensburg.

Kearns said that while the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority has been a great partner, Contour Air has not.

He said the loss of dispatchers has created a situation where officers must be called in on overtime to provide flight security. He said that, in and of itself, isn't a huge problem, however Contour’s tendency to delay flights for hours only to cancel them at the last minute is forcing the officers to waste an abundant amount of time for no reason.

He said that while the monetary cost is being absorbed by the OBPA, the mental and physical wear and tear on the officers is a growing concern.

“It’s a lot of work for our men and women who are coming for that airport flight as an overtime shift,” he said. “It’s been the worst airline we’ve ever worked with out there.”

Kearns said that there is some hope among officers.

He said the city should be able to restore a detective position in spring as two officers will soon be joining the force. He said a third is at the academy and could be on patrol in fall. He’s hopeful that will allow the city to have two detectives back in place.

Kearns said the department has also seen overtime shifts caused by court appearances for uniform officers dealing with major crimes.

Traditionally that work was handled by detectives and was scheduled appropriately.

He said the lack of officers has created some strain with the public as well. He said investigations are taking longer than they should and many people are questioning why.

He said that as an administrator it’s a tough thing to explain.

“Yes, this might be the worst thing that’s happened to you, but in this officer's caseload it might be very low in the grand scheme of things,” he said.

Kearns said the department is surviving, but certainly not thriving.

Kearns said wellness and mental health is a major focus at the department. He said he is working to develop an officer wellness program with nearby healthcare providers and a peer program with the Watertown Police Department.

“We are trying to get the resources out there,” he said.

Kearns said 19 officers would not be sustainable to meet the needs of the city longterm, but said for now, the department is managing.