Committee forms to weigh options as chiefs leave jobs
By Chris Golembiewski, The Lansing State Journal
DEWITT, Mich. -- The city and DeWitt Township are embarking on a new level of government cooperation by agreeing to study - together - the possibility of combining police departments.
The Clinton County city of 4,700 people and the township of 12,100 that surrounds it both recently found themselves without a police chief, through retirement and resignation.
Leaders decided it was a great time to research and learn what residents want for police protection. They also want to determine whether they might save money for both communities in tight times.
“We can’t lose. We’ll come up with great information,’' Township Supervisor Rick Galardi said.
The city police department - with four full-time officers, a chief, and four part-time positions - operates on a $645,000 budget. The township spends $1.2 million for a force of 13 full-time officers and a chief.
A joint committee of city and township officials and residents is forming to research issues and gather input for six months.
DeWitt Mayor Paul Opsommer said the committee will look at: forming a joint police authority; hiring one chief for two departments; contracting with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department; and leaving things as they are or sharing certain costs.
DeWitt Township resident Dee Kain believes the study is a good idea.
“They would save money by not having two chiefs. It’s nice to see the township and the city trying to work together,’' she said.
A consultant will be hired to handle public surveys and focus groups and analyze data, including financial analyses of each department, Galardi said.
Consultant costs won’t be known until a firm is hired in late January.
DeWitt city and township - which have some history of not getting along - took a big step toward regional cooperation when they formed the joint DeWitt Area Recreation Authority on July 1. It streamlined both youth and adult recreation leagues.
The city also is a member of the DeWitt Area Emergency Services Authority Board, providing fire and emergency medical services to Olive and Riley townships.
“We’ve gotten rave reviews (from residents) about government cooperation,’' Opsommer said.
Robert McClean, the city’s police chief since 1997 and a former Lansing police officer, is retiring in January. The City Council considered leaving the position open temporarily, Opsommer said.
McClean, who plans to stay in the community, has agreed to serve on the feasibility committee.
City officials decided they must appoint a new chief now, because Sgt. Jim Wilson, the city’s other commanding officer, retired in October.
Opsommer said he’ll make a recommendation at Monday’s City Council meeting on one of the two finalist for the job. There were no DeWitt applicants, he said. McClean is paid $55,000.
Township Police Chief Douglas Rogers, who earned $59,000, opted not to renew his contract this fall. But Lt. Brian Traub, who has previously served as interim chief, will do so again, Galardi said.
“We’re in good shape. So it’s worth delaying hiring a chief for about 90 days, when we may have a good indication of whether it will or won’t work,” he said.