Township Officials Hold Off Changing Police Ordinance, Eliminating Rank of Captain

Members of the Washington Township council have not made a decision about changing the police department's table of organization. During Monday night's council meeting, officials said they wanted to continue discussions with members of the department before moving forward and changing the ordinance.

as a way to save the township money. No one currently occupies the position of captain, which has a higher pay than all other ranks but chief. D'Urso said removing that position would ensure less of a salary expense for the department. The police contract is currently being negotiated.

Council President Fred Goetz said Monday night that officials are working on the issue. "We have had some discussions with representaties of the police department," he said. "We obviously did not put the ordinance on for tonight because we'd like to continue some of those discussions."

D'Urso also said council members were discussing the possibility of losing some positions through attrition.

"Right now we have certain positions we'd like to possibly consider and discuss ... maybe moving a position if retirement happens or something else," D'Urso said, adding rankings could be lowered after a retirement. "Instead of having six, maybe four. That's something we want to discuss as a council. That's why we're tabling this ordinance right now."