Union, Ringtown discuss police collaboration, potential combined force
RINGTOWN – As prospective police officers remain scarce, two local communities may soon share a police force.
Union Township and Ringtown borough are in early stages of discussions to share their law enforcement resources.
Solicitor Bob Matta, who represents both communities, told Union Township Supervisors Tuesday evening that Ringtown Borough Council had discussed the possibility at their Monday night meeting.
“Ringtown’s been having a hard time finding police officers,” Matta said. “It’s been two years at least since we’ve had someone part-time over there.”
Union Township Police Chief Phil Beaver, who serves as Ringtown’s mayor as well, said they have one part-timer who generally puts in a shift a week.
Matta talked briefly about the steps necessary to move forward.
“There’s two ways to do it. One of the way is that you assign specific hours and basically say ‘Hey, Union, come on over to Ringtown and give them 20 hours a week, looking for speeders, whatever the case may be,” Matta said. “The other way is just simply on an on-call basis.”
“I think it’s a great idea, if Union Township and Ringtown combine their police forces,” outgoing township supervisor David Briggs said. He said the idea had been discussed previously and, for various reasons, it didn’t work.
“What Ringtown is basically saying is nothing changes with pay or insurance or anything, it just gives Phil the right to patrol Ringtown and our officer the right to patrol here,” Secretary Angel Mays, who serves in the role for both municipalities, said.
Beaver referred to it as a reciprocal agreement. Matta said the agreement would allow the police forces to patrol each, but complications arise regarding liability insurance.
No formal action was taken Tuesday night.
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