Milton hires seasonal officers for summer

For the first time in 10 years, Milton is bringing in seasonal police officers to help supplement the town police force during the busier summer months.

Milton has fewer than 10 full-time police officers, so seasonal officers were hired to provide extra sets of eyes and ears during busier times, said Chief Derrick Harvey. He said the officers will be addressing parking and crosswalk issues, and they will be on foot patrol during special events and Concerts in the Park on Wednesday nights. 

In addition, Harvey said, the seasonal officers will be riding around with full-time officers to learn the job and do community policing. The seasonal officers will be on hand until September.

Mayor John Collier said, "I fully support the seasonal officer program."

Harvey said hiring seasonal officers last happened 10 years ago, when the department hired a seasonal officer who later transitioned into becoming a full-time member of the force.

The officers, Jacob Burzynski and Michael Conti, are both locals, with Conti from Lewes and Burzynski from Felton. Both said they have always wanted to be police officers; Burzynski said his grandfather had been an officer, while Conti is studying criminal justice. They said a lot of their duties are handling complaints and disputes, minor misdemeanors, parking tickets and working community events.

“I love it so far. It’s been a great experience,” Burzynski said.

Both said they would like to come back and work with the department full time.

“It’s a great team of people they have,” Conti said.