Dumfries police likely to face cuts

In part because of the ongoing investigations, the Dumfries Police Department will likely take a hit in next year's town budget. by losing some officer positions.

Doing so could force the department to ask for increased assistance from Prince William County police and suspension of 24-hour coverage in the town, at least on a temporary basis.

"Once we get everything to the level that it should be, we'll start building it back up," said Dumfries Town Manager Kim Alexander.

Alexander said when she presents her proposed budget to the Dumfries Town Council, it will contain the elimination of some police officer positions as well as others within the town government.

Alexander will propose that the two vacant positions in the police force remain unfilled. One is a result of an officer leaving, the other is due to the firing of Officer Nathan Vinyard after he was arrested in September on charges of obtaining money by false pretenses. Vinyard is charged with selling town-owned firing range equipment and keeping the money. His court appearance has been delayed twice and is now scheduled for May.

Alexander would not say if she would propose the elimination of other positions within the police department but that she is considering eliminating one or two other positions within the town government.

"This is what my proposal will include. Council can always change it," she said.

Getting rid of the entire police department is not Alexander's goal.

"We've spoken to the county about assisting with coverage," she said. "I certainly do not think it would be in the best interest of the town to get rid of the police department. Prince William County can help but right now Dumfries needs a lot of attention.

"I think Prince William County would agree that if our police department would be flat-out eliminated and turned over to them, they would not be able to give us the attention we need," Alexander said.

Alexander said that a year ago, when she started, the police department had 14 sworn officers. Since then there are 12 due to the two vacant slots.

"I absolutely believe that 14 officers is appropriate, but we will have to see what the assessment says," she said.

Alexander initiated an assessment of the police department in January and expects the results soon. The general assessment is looking at police policies and procedures, general orders and personnel.

In addition, the town's police chief and another officer have been suspended with leave pending two internal investigations into the department.

While she believes the town needs 14 officers, Alexander doesn't think the time is right to hire any.

"With everything going on in the department right now, I cannot see bringing new people into all of this. It just doesn't make sense," she said. "I'd rather cut back there a little bit now; get our house in order, so to speak, and then in next year's budget cycle look at putting some of those positions back in."

Several investigations are ongoing. Fairfax city police officer are looking into one set of allegations while Alexander hired a different investigator to look into a different set. Last month Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert confirmed that the FBI is conducting its own investigation into the Dumfries department.

A temporary reduction in the size of the Dumfries Police Department may mean that the department would not be able to provide 24-hour coverage. However, before that decision could be made permanent, Dumfries residents would be asked for their input, she said.

"The citizens would need a chance to let us know what they think about 24-hour coverage: if they think it is necessary and if it is something that they would be willing to possibly face a higher tax rate for," Alexander said.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-530-3907.