The New Glarus Village Board approved the hiring of a new full-time police officer Wednesday night and extended temporary staffing measures designed to help the Police Department maintain coverage while the new officer completes training.

The board unanimously approved Resolution 26-16, appointing Alexander Seichter as the village's fifth full-time police officer. Village officials described the hire as an important step toward returning the department to full staffing after an extended period with vacancies.

Village Administrator Kelsey Jenson told trustees the department expects Seichter to begin work in June but that he will require approximately three months of field training before he can patrol independently.