Benton Township hires new officer; police to get new body armor

Benton Township police officers will soon have some extra body protection against weapons, as well as an extra body on the force.

At the regular board meeting Tuesday, township trustees approved the purchase of 13 new body armor vests at a cost of $28,960. Police Chief Greg Abrams also announced the hire of Tatum Spencer to the township police department.

Spencer is an Air Force veteran and graduated at the top of her class at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, according to Abrams.

"I can see she's driven and excited to work for Benton Charter Township," Abrams said. "We’re very happy to have her."

Abrams said they had to add one additional body armor vest to the order for Spencer. He added that while the department could not secure a grant for the armor, Deputy Chief Blake McKinney is currently looking for additional grants to reduce the cost to the township.

"This administration is going to be searching for grants for everything," Abrams said. "We want to alleviate as much cost for the township as possible."

In response, Treasurer Debbie Boothby said the township board "is going to give you everything you need to do your job safely."