Military call-ups hurting state’s police agencies

FAIRFIELD, Idaho — Like other law enforcement agencies around the state, the Idaho State Police is temporarily losing employees as troopers are called to fight the war in Iraq.

Rick Ohnsman, the Idaho State Police spokesman, said the largest deployment of Idaho Army National Guard soldiers in state history is straining an already understaffed system.

“We already never have enough troopers to patrol like we’d like to,” said Ohnsman.

“I think people don’t understand that just because we have so many bodies, they can’t be out patrolling all the time. It’s not the only function they attend to.”

The state police is losing eight employees statewide, including six troopers, one detective and one cadet.

Fewer staff translates into diminished presence on the roads, he said, and potentially more dangerous drivers escaping the eyes of the law.

“As far as traffic is concerned, that black and white (car) is a deterrent because it’s out there,” he said.

Hiring part-time help is not an option, he said, because of the nature of the job.

“As far as contingency plans, we don’t have any,” he said.

“We’re just going to have to do the best we can with this many fewer people.”

Soldiers in the 116th Cavalry Brigade have been mobilized for an expected 18-month tour of duty that will take them to Iraq.

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, employers are required to grant unpaid military leave of absence to employees.

Camas County Sheriff Dave Sanders said smaller agencies are especially pinched by the deployment. One of Sanders’ two deputies was called to duty, leaving remaining staff to cover his shifts.

“Just losing one guy really puts a damper on things,” Sanders said.

“There’s a lot that can go on here. It’s just unreal for a little county.”

Though Sanders can hire someone temporarily to pick up the slack, he said recruiting applicants to rural Idaho is tough.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Sanders said. “Tell (applicants), ‘Move here and your wife can work down the street at Kmart?’ ”