ROGERS CITY — The Rogers City police officer who crashed his patrol car while experiencing a medical condition last month will return to work with the city as a “float” employee.

That means he will be able to “float” between city departments while medical restrictions prevent him from performing law enforcement duties, according to City Manager Joe Hefele. The Rogers City City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a letter of understanding with Officer Bruce Collins, allowing him to return to work as of today. According to the letter, Collins could “float” between the marina, water department, wastewater treatment plant, police department, or the city office.

The agreement also stipulates that Collins is not permitted to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Last month, Collins lost consciousness and crashed his patrol car into an unoccupied pickup truck that was parked on Main Street, causing the airbags in the police car to deploy. He received minor injuries and was transferred by ambulance to MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena for treatment.

Mayor Scott McLennan told The News at that time that it was the first time the officer experienced the medical condition. City officials have not said what the medical condition was, but McLennan previously emphasized that Collins was not drunk and did not fall asleep.

Hefele said workers’ compensation will cover the medical costs associated with the crash, but will not pick up Collins’ wages he would lose while not working as an officer. That’s why the city is offering him the float position.

Mayor Scott McLennan said Collins will continue to be compensated out of the city’s general fund until he is able to come back at the first of the year. McLennan said Collins is a valued employee and the city has a lot of work to be done that doesn’t require him to drive a car.

“It’s the right thing to do to work with him during this interim period and there’s plenty of work for him to do,” McLennan said.

Hefele said “everyone wins” from the agreement.

“He wins, we win, the department heads who are stressed out and short of men, they all win, so it’s a good deal for everybody,” he said.

The agreement is effective through Jan. 7, 2020, unless the doctors say he can return to work as a police officer without restrictions, if workers’ compensation agrees to cover his wages, or if he resigns from the city.

The council subsequently agreed to allow the city manager and Police Chief Matt Quaine to hire a new full-time police officer with the city.

Collin’s temporary reassignment, combined with Quaine’s planned retirement in December, will leave the Police Department shorthanded.

Hefele estimated hiring a new officer could cost the city between $40,000 and $47,000, an unbudgeted expense. He said the city will receive $41,000 from the insurance company, which could be put toward the cost of an officer.

The city will use a savings account for equipment to purchase a new police car, according to Hefele. The new vehicle, a Ford Explorer, will be purchased a year early than expected and Hefele said the patrol car would have to last an additional year to keep the city on its vehicle replacement schedule.

In the future, Hefele said, the council may want to consider a law enforcement special assessment district to raise revenue for police operations.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.