By John Howell Sr.

Como’s mayor and aldermen took no action on Police Chief Fred Boskey’s July 12 request for a full-time police officer and for equipment purchases for officers.

Boskey made the requests at the monthly meeting of the town’s mayor and aldermen attended by Mayor Everette Hill and aldermen Bill Mitchell, Ruby Higgenbottom, Clark Gregory and Forster Ruhl. Alderman Teresa Dishmon was unable to attend.

“I’d like to hire a full-time officer if the board and finances allow …,” Boskey said. “The part-time officers are great, but with their regular jobs coupled with their duties in Como, they’re being worked to the brink of exhaustion.”

The Como Police Department currently fields four full-time officers augmented by five part-time officers.

After discussion about whether the hiring of a full-time officer would be offset by a reduction in part-time officers’ hours, Alderman Higgenbottom, who was appointed police commissioner at the June meeting, questioned the need for additional officers when she often sees two officers eating meals at the same time in Como Main Street restaurants.

Mayor Hill agreed, “Well, I addressed the chief on that; we shouldn’t have two officers down there eating at the same time,” he said.

“They shouldn’t eat together,” Boskey agreed.

“When all this is going on the town is unattended,” Higgenbottom said.

Boskey had also requested purchase of four new rechargeable police flashlights and three “lockout kits” for assisting motorists who lock themselves out of their vehicles.

“Can’t y’all get by with one?” Hill asked, referring to the lockout kits.

After further discussion, Alderman Gregory volunteered to purchase one lockout kit for the department.