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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Mochal becomes chief of police
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — After taking the oath of office to become Williamsburg Chief of Police, Jason Mochal, the former assistant chief, presented the monthly police report to the city council.
On of the first things Mochal will have to do as police chief will be to hire a new officer. Sgt. Nathan Bardole is resigning, effective in June, Mochal told the city council Monday, so the police department will be down two officers.
“Finding recruits is getting more and more challenging,” said Mochal. “We have a 24-hour department,” he said, and the public likes that.
Mochal also explained the monthly police report to council members. The number of business checks reported is deceptive, Mochal said. Officers check more businesses than the raw number shows because they enter the event once but check several businesses.
Officer Kyle Goodell walks the square checking doors of businesses to make sure they are secure, said Mochal.
Officers drive around other businesses looking for open doors, broken windows and other signs that the business is not secure.
House checks are down this month because residents who winter elsewhere are returning, Mochal said.
Traffic stops have increased, up from 171 last year to 312. Part of the reason, said Mochal, is that Goodell has graduated from the academy and is now on duty in Williamsburg.
The higher number of traffic stops also reflects the fact that officers are making an effort to look for other infractions, beyond speeding.
Sometimes officers get reliant on the radar, said Mochal. He’s asking them also to be aware of window tints, seat belt violations and out-of-date registrations.
Mochal said the Sig P320 firearms issued by the Williamsburg Police Department have shown incidences of accidental discharge. Bardole inspected Williamsburg’s weapons, and they seem to be good, Mochal said, but he wants to phase out the weapons.
The city may have to have officers carry their own weapons, which they did before the city purchased the Sigs, Mochal said.
Part-time and reserve officers already carry their own.
