The Wayland City Police Department now is at near full strength with the hiring of Jonathan Schaefer as a full-time officer.

Schaefer formerly was a part-time officer with the city and then went to work for the Tribal Police of the Gun Lake Casino.

“He (Schaefer) has been in the community all along, working for the tribal police,” Chief Steve Harper told City Council members Monday night.

Harper added that officer Tom Newberry is recovering from knee replacement surgery and he is expected to be back on duty by next March.

In other news, Harper said he has been in contact with the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET), which wants to send representatives to make a presentation about medical marijuana.

Because of a new state law that enables local municipalities to allow or prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries, inquiries are being made to municipalities about establishment of such businesses.

Watson Township has been approached about a possible dispensary site near the Martin exit off U.S.-131.

WEMET representatives already have made a presentation to the Allegan City Council, in which they expressed strong disapproval of dispensaries and they have presented alarming information about the situation in Colorado, where recreational marijuana has been legal now for almost three years.

Council tentatively agreed to invite WEMET to make a presentation at its Monday, Nov. 21, meeting at council chambers.