After five years and a backlog of 1,000 cases, the Hollister
Police Department’s detective bureau is getting a full-time
sergeant to supervise the overburdened investigators and implement
a number of new programs within the unit.
After five years and a backlog of 1,000 cases, the Hollister Police Department’s detective bureau is getting a full-time sergeant to supervise the overburdened investigators and implement a number of new programs within the unit.
Sgt. James Weathers took the reins within the bureau Monday to oversee operations, provide direction and offer a fresh perspective to the detectives, said Police Chief Jeff Miller.
“The first thing he’ll be doing is looking at case assignments – we’re looking at him to audit the case loads and see if he can get a better handle on what’s out there,” Miller said. “Then he can make recommendations on how to do things better.”
Weathers could not be reached Monday.
While Weathers won’t act as a third detective with his own caseload, his ability to prioritize the cases assigned to each detective and supervise the investigations will mitigate some of the work, said Detective Tony Lamonica.
“He’ll be able to clear out a lot of the misdemeanors and old cases while we concentrate more on the felonies,” Lamonica said. “I think we’ll weed out a lot of cases, just having the extra body.”
Increased crime and a lack of police officers to investigate it resulted in the backlog of cases, some dating back to 2003.
Weathers will also supervise a number of new programs being put in place within the bureau, such as working with a team of Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) that will help in closing old cases that have no leads, Miller said.
“He may also see some more areas where VIPs can help out,” he said.
Because Weathers also is the supervisor in charge of the department’s gang team, his new position will allow him to better coordinate responses on gang-related crimes and give him an enhanced perspective on the city’s gang problem, Miller said.
The last time the bureau had a full-time detective sergeant was almost five years ago, said Sgt. Ray Wood.
Wood worked part-time as a sergeant in investigations two years ago, doing double duty with his responsibilities as a training sergeant at that time, he said.
“A full-time sergeant is going to be able to deal with the most important cases to the community and the department,” Wood said. “We have many unresolved cases that he will not only be able to prioritize, but get involved in.”
Weathers was chosen for the position about a year ago, but wasn’t assigned to the position until another sergeants retired recently, Miller said.
Although Miller wasn’t at the department when Weathers was chosen, he said the selection process is based on competitive interviews with the command staff and a thorough review of prior work records.
“We look for someone who exhibits our department’s values and who will work to accomplish our department’s mission,” Miller said. “Based on that criteria we put the best person in.”
