Inverness to have its own police force

Come next year, Inverness will have its own police force patrolling the village.

On Tuesday, village trustees unanimously approved an ordinance creating Inverness's first police department.

The move comes just one month after trustees rejected a proposal from Barrington to continue providing the village with police services. Inverness's current deal with Barrington expires at the end of April 2009.

"This is implementing the ordinance that allows us to go forward," village President Jack Tatooles said.

The trustees also agreed to spend $20,000 on consulting services from JD Brathcer and Associates to help start up the department, including helping to choose the new chief of police.

The goal is to have the new chief in place by early September.

"By September, to have the police appointed is a good idea," Trustee Dick Gallagher said.

Village Administrator Curt Carver said he expects a good deal of interest in the position.

"I think regionally you will get a good pool of candidates," Carver said.

Barrington has provided Inverness with police coverage since the 1970s.

In January, Inverness trustees turned down Barrington's offer to continue providing services for the next five years for $10.1 million.

Inverness trustees said money was the primary reason in deciding to start the village's own force.

According to a study done by an outside consultant, it would cost Inverness $1.3 million less over five years to start its own department instead of going with Barrington.

Under a scenario by the consultants, the new police department will be housed inside the village hall annex at 1415 Baldwin Road.

It will consist of 10 to 12 employees with at least two sworn officers on duty at all times.

Carver said once the chief is selected, they will help choose the officers who will serve under them.

"We thought it was fairly important for the police chief to be involved in the hiring process," Carver said.