MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Marble Hill police officers have been so busy lately, Police Chief Alan Stevens asked the board of aldermen to consider hiring a fourth officer.

After an executive session Monday night, the board agreed to Stevens' request.

Stevens said even with the help of five reserve officers, the workload is high enough, he needs the support of another trained officer.

"We have been getting a lot of help from our reserves, but they all work full-time jobs somewhere else," Stevens said.

Some of his reserves have worked shifts, in addition to their full-time jobs, to the point they worked too many hours with not enough rest, putting them in an unsafe situation.

Since Stevens took over as chief in September, he said, he has reduced the number of overtime hours and maximized the use of reserves.

"I think that speaks for itself," he said. "All my reserves are amazing; I'm very proud of them."

Stevens said applicants will be required to take a written test. Only those who pass the test will be called back for an interview involving the entire police department.

Police-officer applicants will not be the only candidates going through an application process. The aldermen Monday night set aside hours Friday and Monday to contact six of 11 applicants for the city administrator position and conduct telephone interviews.

Mayor Nick Hendricks said some applicants may have changed their mind since applying or may have found other employment. The phone screening will eliminate those who are no longer interested and narrow the number of candidates for further interviews.