By Merle Monahan

The Tidewater News

The Windsor Police Department will add another full-time officer to the current five-man force thanks to a $176,000 federal grant.

With the addition of three auxiliary officers in March, the department will have as many officers as some larger towns, Chief Vic Reynolds said.

A grant received from the U.S. Department of Justice under the 2010 COPS Hiring Program will pay the salary of another officer for three years. The town must pay for that position for 12 months following the three-year period.

“This is an incredible blessing during these fiscally trying times,” Reynolds said during a recent Town Council meeting.

Reynolds believes an extra police officer will benefit the town, especially with its expected growth.

In addition to the chief, the department’s officers are Sgt. W. D. Owens, who was just promoted to the position, Senior Police Officer H.L. Stephens, Officer Patrick Luley and Det. Parker Jerrnigan.

Auxiliary officers, all of whom are still in training, are Christy Bolton, Fabian Hewitt and Douglas Bateman.

Town Manager Michael Stallings noted that the town has applications on file from the previous police hiring and the process of hiring a new officer could begin within weeks.