BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

WINDSOR—Windsor Police Department has hired two officers for its six-man force.

Thanks to a $176,000 federal grant, the department created a position for the sixth officer, while the other hire fills a vacancy.

“We’re now up to full capacity,” said Chief Vic Reynolds, noting that the new officers have already proved to be an asset to the department and the community.

Hired under the grant was Kyle Thomas, 37, who comes from the Hampton University Police Department. The grant will cover Thomas’ salary for three years, and the city is required to keep him for at least one additional year.

The second officer, Joshua Harris, 23, previously worked for Norfolk Police Department.

Their salaries will range between $36,000 and $39,000 annually.

Reynolds said additional police will benefit the town greatly, especially with the growth expected in the next few years.

“We’re now able to have two officers on duty at the same time at night and on weekends, when they’re needed most,” Reynolds said.

Counting the three auxiliary officers, who are not paid, the Windsor Police Department has a force of nine, which is comparable to a much larger town, Reynolds said.