NORWICH – At last week's City of Norwich Joint Committee meeting, Alderman David Zieno asked members of the common council to consider alternatives for city police coverage of local events.

"I know that right now we have quiet a shortage in our police department," said Zieno. "I imagine that these events, although they're incredibly significant to the City of Norwich, just put an added strain on an already serious situation."

Recently, three new police officers enrolled in the police academy after accepting positions with the Norwich Police Department. However, the training takes about six months to complete. Zieno expressed concern about the events coming up before the new officers start.

"They are not going to be available for the next six months. So probably in the second half of the year our man power is going to change a little bit, I'm just thinking about the events that come up during the first half of the year. Is there maybe another way for some of these events to be handled with some sort of outside security, I'm just wondering if there's any other option," said Zieno.

Norwich Chief of Police Rodney Marsh responded to Zieno's concern saying, "The last couple [events] that we handled at the end of last year when we were still really down we were actually able to make it work. Burlison and I both helped cover the events and we were able to do it. If it came down to do it we could always ask the Sheriffs department or State Police for assistance."

Zieno expressed that he was more concerned with burn out for the current officers.

"Our staff is working very hard and they're putting in a lot of overtime. They're not able to spend much time with their families and to add on events, we're asking for a problem to potentially pop up and I just want to make sure there's not going to be an issue," he said.

Alderman Brian Doliver suggested that if they were able to increase their volunteer base, it may help ease the burden on police officers.

"Some of the issue is the lack of volunteers we have. If we could some how reach out to more volunteers it wouldn't replace the police officers but it certainly would help. You still need police officers at these events," said Doliver.

Zieno agreed that an increase in volunteers would be beneficial. He closed the conversation by stating, "If there's a way to work around those things and provide some additional support, we should be doing it."