Council approves equipment, staffing changes for Police Department

Published 8:30 pm Tuesday, December 2, 2025

HANNIBAL — With the impending increase in revenue from the voter-approved public safety sales tax, the Hannibal City Council on Tuesday took steps to make improvements for the Hannibal Police Department.

The council agreed to a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. to upgrade the department’s Taser devices. The contract, totaling $130,146.15 over the term, or just over $26,000 per year, will allow for 14 Taser 10 devices for the department. This cost includes training, warranties, and annual replacement cartridges.

Hannibal Police Chief Jacob Nacke noted that the department’s current arsenal of Tasers are no longer under warranty and no longer have replacement parts or replacement devices available.

A tentative agreement was also approved for the department to upgrade software systems to a new standard for electronic ticketing and dispatch, among other options, through Central Square.

After reviewing various options and discussions with NECOMM and neighboring agencies, Nacke said there are other, more cutting-edge options, but he’s hesitant to let the department be the testbed for as-yet unproven systems.

Nacke also noted that, while the Central Square system hasn’t been implemented in the area yet, other agencies including Hannibal Fire Department, Marion County and Ralls County sheriffs’ departments, NECOMM, and the New London Police Department among others have expressed intent, or at least interest, in adding the same software.

One final expense approved for HPD is the purchase of 34 rifle-rated armor plates for officers to use in their ballistic vest carriers. The purchase, totaling $15,300 from Leon Uniform Supply, will be paid for with funds from the Blue Shield Grant program.

A first reading for a payroll budget amendment will be voted on at the council’s Dec. 16 meeting. If approved, this amendment would bring the department’s sworn-officer positions to 35.

Nacke, along with City Manager Andy Dorian, said the idea was to be proactive in getting another officer hired and started in training in anticipation of retirements within the department. Once hired, a new officer takes roughly 10 months — six months of academy training and 16 weeks of field training — before they are considered to patrol on their own.

The council also approved two change orders for the city’s Central Park renovation project, totaling just under $43,400. Dorian explained that the changes in the project come for a variety of reasons. Electric pedestals that were originally quoted are no longer available, while stucco repairs for the bandstand gazebo were estimated with an expectation of higher costs once the work began.

Other changes in the project included making changes in the sidewalk design to be ADA compliant, additional concrete drain work, and the replacement of the park’s flagpole.

Finally, the council heard the final certification of the city’s November municipal election and had a first reading of an ordinance change that’s needed to implement the new public safety sales tax. Assuming passage at the Dec. 16 meeting, the new 1/2% tax will begin on April 1, 2026, with the city seeing revenue start in May.