A state-commissioned review of the Waterloo Police Department found the agency is understaffed and recommends adding officers, creating a dedicated investigator position and increasing civilian support to meet growing demands for service.
The administrative study, conducted by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services at the request of Police Chief James Chechak, examined staffing, operations and organizational structure within the department. The report was completed in March and is intended to help village officials with future planning.
According to the study, the department currently employs eight full-time sworn officers, including the chief, three sergeants and four patrol officers. One of those officers has been unavailable for duty for nearly eight years because of a work-related injury, leaving three full-time patrol officers available for regular response duties. The department also employs five part-time officers and one full-time civilian clerk.
Using a staffing formula developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, analysts determined the department requires 10 officers assigned to patrol to adequately handle its workload. The report recommends hiring at least four additional full-time officers, or a combination of full- and part-time officers, to address the shortfall.
The study found calls for service have increased significantly in recent years, rising from 5,504 incidents in 2023 to 8,718 incidents in 2025. Traffic enforcement activity also increased sharply during that period, with traffic stops climbing from 1,163 in 2023 to 2,665 in 2025.
Analysts also concluded the department should add a dedicated investigator. Currently, criminal investigations are handled by patrol officers and sergeants in addition to their regular duties. The report found that arrangement is insufficient to support the department’s investigative workload.
The review highlighted concerns about the department’s civilian staffing as well. Waterloo employs a single full-time clerk and confidential secretary. When that employee is unavailable because of illness or vacation, the front office closes to the public. State officials recommended hiring a part-time or temporary clerk to provide backup support and maintain continuity of operations.
While recommending changes to patrol, investigative and civilian staffing, the report concluded that the department’s command structure is consistent with accepted practices and does not require modification. The agency currently operates with a chief and three sergeants overseeing patrol operations.
The study also noted challenges associated with the department’s aging headquarters on West Main Street. The building, which is shared with village offices, shows signs of deterioration, lacks holding cells and contains limited office and storage space. According to the report, discussions about replacing or repairing the facility have been postponed because of cost concerns, with a new standalone police station estimated to cost approximately $6 million.
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