LOWER PAXTON TWP., Pa. - Dauphin County officials Tuesday received the results of a study regarding whether there could be cost savings in merging multiple police departments in the county.
The Police Executive Research Forum studied seven different combinations of which departments could be combined, including one that suggested a county-wide police force that would require changes to state law.
“At a time when municipalities are crunched, their budgets are tight and they spend a lot of money on policing, to realize significant savings I think is very important for those local elected officials to take a look at,” Ed Marsico, Dauphin County’s district attorney, said.
The group says millions of dollars could be saved in six of the seven scenarios.
“Officers will not be laid off; rather, retirements will reduce the number of personnel with each option to the proposed levels,” said Dr. Craig Fraser of the Police Executive Research Forum. “The models we present allow more efficient deployment of officers and are based on calls of service data as well as crime data.”
Officials say they have not put a timetable on any decisions, but will analyze the data to see where they go from here.
“What's important is to look at the different options that have been presented, to go back, study the numbers and then really start some discussions amongst the different communities,” Marsico said.