Nodaway County Sheriff Austin Hahn told county commissioners last week that his department is nearing full staffing and seeing a drop in its jail population.
Hahn said a recent hire brings the department to 17 deputies. Nathan Claxton, who joined the office in September after leaving active duty in the U.S. Army, is now undergoing training.
Deputies also serve as school resource officers in local districts. Hahn said he is working with the schools to finalize cost-sharing agreements for officer salaries.
A new patrol car purchased by the county will soon be in service, Hahn added.
Meanwhile, the county jail population has decreased significantly. Hahn said the jail currently holds five inmates, compared to 12 to 15 just a few weeks ago.
“We’ve sent some of them to prison,” Hahn said. “We were holding some for other agencies on warrants, and we extradited them back to the counties where they’re facing charges. So our numbers have dipped significantly.”
Hahn gave his quarterly update to the commissioners on Oct. 9 during a meeting of county officeholders.
