FSPD add five new officers to roster

The Fort Scott Police Department has recently added five officers to its force, with the majority of those officers already trained.

Corey Richmeier, 26, formerly of Ellinwood (a central Kansas town about 257 miles from Fort Scott), graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and has one year of experience with the Ellinwood Police Department. Along with Richmeier, the city hired Lance Fabrizius, 26, also of Ellinwood, who had two years with the department, Human Resources Director Bob Johnson said. Both started with the department last week.

Officers Tim Harper, 38, formerly of Drexel, Mo., and Matt Schiffel, 27, formerly of Wichita, were hired during the summer, with Harper starting in June and Schiffel joining the department in July.

Harper has served with the Drexel Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff's Department. Schiffel had no prior law enforcement experience but served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He'll be attending the next available class offered at the police academy, officials said.

Former FSPD officer Jesse Brower, 37, re-joined the department after serving two years with the Leavenworth Police Department. The West Plains, Mo., native served two years with the FSPD before leaving for Leavenworth, where he put in two years. Brower started Friday.

Also, officer T. J. Newman, who was hired last year, graduated from KLETC on Friday.

With the additions, the department now has a total of 19 officers comprised of patrol officers, lieutenants, detectives and sergeants.

The department for years has been plagued by a high turnover rate. Officers usually depart after gaining a year or more of experience. Some are trained by the FSPD and others, like the four new officers, have had prior law enforcement experience.

Lt. Travis Shelton said adding the experienced officers is "very beneficial for the department" because they don't have to leave the force for 14-weeks to train at KLETC, .

Former FSPD Officer Chuck Paul resigned in August. He served with the force for about a year. The officers were unavailable for comment.