Forks Figures Out Police Manpower

The Forks Township Police Department will be hiring another full-time police officer.

The Board of Supervisors approved a motion that would add an officer to the municipal budget in July after Police Chief Greg Dorney requested additional help to offset manpower shortages.

Dorney told supervisors at their May monthly meeting that his department is down three full-time positions. He said that overtime expenditures for the first three months of the year have already equaled the price for a new full-time officer.

Dorney suggested that the township hire one officer in July, one in January 2014 and another in July 2014.

But while Supervisor Bob Egolf moved quickly for a motion, other supervisors balked, stating that due to the township's financial crisis, those other hires should be considered down the road.

Egolf was not pleased with the news.

"When all is said and done, the chief gets what he needs," Egolf said. "Why string it out?"

"This is a real concrete need. He needs to replace people who are gone," Egolf stated. "We should make that commitment to him. We have an oustanding police force. We have to show our support and follow the recommendation of the chief."

Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss and Supervisor David Billings both believed it was best to hold off.

"We should take them one at a time," Chuss said.

"It's the message we are sending," Egolf countered. "We are at a crisis point with our police department."

"I don't say that I don't support the police department," Chuss said. "I don't think we should commit if we have unknowns."

Chuss mentioned the upcoming municipal budget planning, the seven-year financial plan not being finished and the fact that the township is in negotiations with police on a new contract.

"This is from a financial standpoint," Chuss said. "It's no reflection on the police department."

The motion to hire three officers was then defeated. But a second motion to hire one officer for July was approved.

"We need to approve this one step at a time until the budget process," Billings stated.

"I think this will work itself out," Supervisor Dan Martyak said.