Regional police forces provide many benefits

There’s a new regional police force forming Jan. 1, 2017, in southern Chester County.

New Garden Township supervisors have entered into an inter-governmental agreement with West Grove borough to merge police departments. The merger creates a 25-person fulltime police force, and leaves open the possibility for more municipalities to join. It will include 15 full-time police officers, 10-part time police officers, and two civilian assistants.

New Garden, which has more than 12,000 residents and encompasses 16.5 square miles, already has a full-time police department consisting of 12 full-time officers and five part-time officers. West Grove has 2,800 residents and has a police force consisting of three full-time officers. West Grove residents will have full-time police coverage when the merger occurs in January.

Right now, there is only one true regional police department in Chester County — WesttownEast Goshen, commonly referred to as WEGO. But the issue of regional policing is a hot topic these days, as municipalities look to cut costs while improving services. In neighboring Lancaster County, Pequea and Conestoga are considering forming a regional police department.

A legislative analysis of regional police departments by a joint committee of the state’s General Assembly conducted in 2013 found that there are many issues involved, including a perceived loss of control, staffing issues, administration and cost.

Over half (1,279) of Pennsylvania’s 2,500 municipalities have no police department, according to the study. Of those that do have a police department, most (72 percent) have 10 or fewer full-time officers, the minimum number generally considered necessary for a stand-alone police department.

In 2013, Pennsylvania had 986 municipal police departments (both full-time and parttime), 34 regional police departments (comprised of 102 municipalities), and 1,279 municipalities receiving their police services solely from the state police, the report stated. State police also provided parttime police coverage to 420 municipalities. Additionally, 231 municipalities contracted with another municipality for police services and 13 municipalities contracted with a regional police department for police services. West Grove residents have long relied on part-time coverage of its police department. Most people do not need police services, but when they do, they expect a response immediately. That can’t always happen with a part-time force, and relying on state police is unrealistic as they may be far away when the call arrives. But with a fulltime police force, response time is very fast, and people generally feel safer.

Although regional police departments can offer cost savings, that isn’t always a given. In the three years immediately following the consolidation, 76 percent, or 13 out of 17 regional police departments responding, reported overall costs for the department increasing each year, and only one out of 17 reported a decrease in costs, according to the legislative analysis. With WEGO, for example, in 2013, the regional department increased costs 151 percent over a span of 10 years. But with that came an increase in police protection that would have cost residents in both Westtown and East Goshen much more than that.

Regional policing appears to be working, and looks like a great fit for New Garden and West Grove.

Here is what Gerald Simpson, New Garden police chief, said in a letter to residents:

“It’s my sincere hope and belief that our communities and residents will soon see the fruits of our labor. We are committed to having a professional and mission oriented law enforcement agency that is guided by core values and modern policies. There’s no doubt we face many challenges ahead. Our partnership has strengthened and improved our ability to face these obstacles and most importantly, the members of both agencies are equal to the task and committed to success.”

There’s still much work to be accomplished, the least of which is constructing a new, modern police station to accommodate the newly formed department.

We like the plan, and we encourage surrounding municipalities to investigate whether joining in is right for them. We are confident that Simpson has the administrative skills to head up the new regional police force, and that it will serve residents of both municipalities well.