By Ryan Christopher Grange
Payson City is in need of a new police chief when Mike Openshaw officially retires July 1.
Seven candidates are currently vying for the top position in the small town”s police department.
Sergeant Mike Mellen is one of the applicants hoping to become the next chief.
“We”re a good size department – not too big,” Mellen said.
Applicants are subject to several background tests, including a psychological check.
One challenge of hiring new officers is finding a candidate with a spotless record, Openshaw said.
“It”s getting harder and harder to find a person that hasn”t tried marijuana or something else in high school,” he said.
14 officers now work for the station, although the department will be looking to hire several new officers in July.
Mellen said the advantages of working for the police department in Payson are abundant.
“Here we have the advantage of becoming part of a blooming department,” he said.
Since Mellen joined the department 12 years ago, the office has doubled in size. Population growth has fueled an increase in crime, resulting in more officers.
“Methamphetamine production has increased more than anything else,” Mellen said.
Chief Openshaw added that when people are using methamphetamines they become extremely paranoid, which leads to more serious crimes.
Theft, assault and even attempted homicides have increased along with the methamphetamine problem.
Another challenge that the new chief will face is low wages for the entire department. There was a three-year stint when nobody in the department received a raise, Openshaw said.
“We”ve fallen way behind in wages,” Openshaw said. “The new chief really needs to do something about wages.”
In addition to low wages, the building in which the police station is housed is falling apart.
Although there are many challenges, the opportunities in Payson outweigh the drawbacks for some.
“This is a great profession to get to know and work with people,” Openshaw said.
Being a police officer in a small town gives officers the chance to get to know just about everybody.
“I know a lot of people,” Openshaw said.
Growing up in Payson, Openshaw knows most the people he came in contact with everyday.
Openshaw said the most satisfying part of the job for him was working with the officers in the department.
“We”ve got a great bunch of guys. It”s been fun watching them learn and grown and progress in their careers,” Openshaw said.
