Lacey Police Department Operating With 'Dramatically' Low Roster, Chief Says

The Lacey Township Police Department is in the middle of a "difficult" transition period, with only 34 sworn police officers on the roster, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

That number includes Paprota, lieutenants, sergeants, detectives, patrol officers and trainees who are still attending the Ocean County Police Academy, the chief said.

Paprota has had to cope with officers retiring and trainees in the academy who won't be available for duty until they graduate.

"Due to the economy and necessary budget cuts in recent years, we are currently at the lowest operational levels since the late 80’s," Paprota said.

Just a few years ago the department had 47 full-time law enforcement personnel with up to eight additional uniformed special officers, the chief said.

"Due to attrition and the economy, those staffing numbers have dropped dramatically," Paprota said. 

"The restructuring of the police department is a process that will take eight months to complete, but will provide for maximum efficiency and the highest level of service possible with the limited resources available," the chief said.

When the restructuring is done, the department will have the smallest rank structure in 20 years - with four lieutenants and four sergeants covering 24/7 police operations. The new structure will insure the public has access to command level personal seven days a week, Paprota said.