Madison's New Police Hire on Hold

Madison's governing body is deferring a decision on hiring a new police officer because of concerns about being able to afford the position next year, the Borough Council president said Monday.

Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto said officials, after reviewing projected 2013 financial information provided by the chief financial officer, were concerned about the affordability of the position in 2013.

As a result, they deferred a decision to a later day and will work with the on shared service and partnership opportunities to reduce underage drinking and drug and alcohol acitivity in town, Tsukamoto, the council's public safety liaison, said during the council meeting.

The additional police position was included in the 2012 budget and, about a week before , Trevena—with the involvement of Borough Administrator Ray Codey and Assistant Borough Administrator Jim Burnet—, Tsukamoto had said.

Trevena's departure brings the number of officers to 26. The department had 35 officers in 2008. Since then, the number of officers was reduced through attrition and four civilian dispatchers were hired to handle dispatching work previously done by officers.

In March, Tsukamoto said funding for the new officer .