Officials approach regional police force talks with caution

Aspinwall councilman and public safety chairman David Brown said although borough officials have participated in talks regarding a regional police force, they may not yield an agreement.

“We’re thinking about this,” he said during council’s meeting on Feb. 7. “But we’re not galloping ahead with police regionalization. It is an opportune time to have this discussion on consolidating our police forces because several of us do not have a chief or their chief is about to retire.

“I have to wonder how it would be if we could have a super chief doing administration for all of us.” “However,” Mr. Brown said, “I do not feel we are under any obligation to sign a paper.” He was referring to the memorandum of understanding Sharpsburg signed on Jan. 25. “I’m all for helping out Sharpsburg, as long as Aspinwall comes out even.”

Others in the police regionalization plan are Blawnox, Fox Chapel and O’Hara. The plan originated in a closeddoor session of the municipalities Jan. 17. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 21.

The borough is functioning quite well with its longest-serving officer, David Nemec, assuming leadership, Mr. Brown said. The attitude of the police officers is it’s not necessary, he added.

Northern Regional is another regionalized police departmentin the state. It encompasses Pine, Marshall, Richland and Bradford Woods.

Council also discussed the possibility of hiring an acting police chief. Mr. Brown said all the local police chiefs at the first closed meeting said regionalization discussions should not delay the borough hiring someone.

But he said he wondered if the discussions might discourage people from applying because the job may not be permanent.

“We need to act on this immediately,” said Councilwoman Lara Voytko. “Our borough is at risk without an acting chief. Our officers are excellent, but none of them has the necessary training.”

She suggested reaching out to retired police chiefs to fill the void.