MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department implemented a desk officer to handle calls for service for people who come directly to the department allowing patrol officers to stay on the street.

Officer Matt Fulbright was assigned the position last week.

“This will allow the police department to expand office hours and provide immediate interaction with a police officer,” explained Chief Dean Mitchell. “The officer will work four days per week, from late afternoon to early evening.”

In addition to handling in-person calls for service, Fulbright will monitor prisoners in the holding cells awaiting transportation to the Grant County Jail, Mitchell stated.

“The position is partially funded from a federal grant for one year,” he explained. “The desk officer is reminiscent of old style community policing. The idea is to offer one-on-one contact with a police officer to those who come in the police department versus calling the Multi-Agency Communication Center and dispatching an officer to the police department.”

Fulbright is available Wednesday through Saturday.

“The officer will log all activities conducted for the next three months,” Mitchell advised. “The hours of work may be adjusted later, based on that data.”