By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Great Bend Chief of Police Steve Haulmark is a regular at Great Bend City Council meetings. Monday night, in a non-agenda item, Haulmark spoke about retention issues at his department. Council Member Davis Jimenez broached the topic in a non-agenda item.
“Our police department is having some retention issues,” Jimenez said. “I just want to ask, is there something the council and city can do to help with that?”
Haulmark cited reasons officers have given for leaving the department. One was not from the area and moved his family to be closer to his spouse’s family. Two more officers left to pursue different lines of work, with one joining a fire department and one turning to teaching.
“Specifically, if there’s anything the city or the council can do, I think the answer is no,” said Haulmark. “Based on the exit interviews, then the interviews I’ve had with personnel that have left recently, the majority have left for personal reasons.”
Council Member Gary Parr asked if salary is an issue. Haulmark said the issue has been raised but has not specifically been given as a reason for leaving the department.