Central Bucks Regional PBA: SRO Decision A Loss For Local Boroughs

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Police Benevolent Association of the Central Bucks Regional Police Department said they are "dumbfounded" by a recent decision by the police commission not to partner with the Central Bucks School District's Student Resource Officer program.

In a letter read at the commission's September meeting, PBA President Tim Conboy questioned the commission's decision to forgo an offer by the school district for a fully-funded police officer and asked for the police commission "to explain its actions."

The Central Bucks Regional PBA represents the 24 police officers, sergeants and corporals serving Chalfont, New Britain and Doylestown Boroughs.

“It is no secret that municipal police departments across the Commonwealth are facing significant staffing shortages. Bucks County is no different," Conboy told the commission. "This problem is only exacerbated by tight municipal budgets. That's why when an opportunity comes along to add a police officer to its complement at no cost to taxpayers, most clear-thinking police administrators would jump at the chance.

"Unfortunately for the residents of Doylestown, Chalfont and New Britain Boroughs, the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission is not part of that group," said Conboy.

The Central Bucks School District sought to partner with the commission to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) on site at its Central Bucks High School West Campus. After considering the offer, the commission decided against taking part citing staffing and budgetary issues.

"Such a partnership would have provided enhanced safety to the children of the district - the most important consideration by far - and relieved officers patrolling the Boroughs from routine calls for service at the school," said Conboy. "It would have facilitated a sense of community between children and the police department, while at the same time, providing borough residents with extra manpower to beef up patrols during the summer months when they are needed the most."

The district was offering to pay 100 percent of the costs for the next five years.

"This would seem like the ultimate win for everyone. But the commission rejected the proposals for reasons that are still unclear. It was, in our view, the wrong call and a disservice to not only borough residents but more importantly to the children of the district," said Conboy.

The first time the Central Bucks Regional Police Benevolent Association (PBA) learned about the decision by the commission was through the media. And Conboy said the PBA's views were never solicited by the commission.

"When we asked why they would turn down a new 100 percent subsidized position, they stated that it 'was in [the police department's] best interests.' We fail to see how. Essentially, their explanations have been both confused and contradictory," said Conboy.

"We recognize that the commission has no duty to explain its actions to its employees. However, it does have the duty to explain itself to the people who make up our Boroughs. We, as the PBA, believe it is time for the commission to do so," said Conboy.

Patch reached out to the commission's chairman, Chalfont Borough Mayor Brian Wallace, for a response. He said the commission had no comment.