Measure may make regional police palatable to cities
That's music to Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder's ears.
"This may in fact provide a model for sheriff's offices throughout the state to overcome the difficulties between cities and counties," Winder said. "Today may shine a very new light on the way cities and counties can work together."
On Wednesday, a Senate legislative committee unanimously approved a revamped version of SB153 that would effectively force the sheriff to start negotiating with the cities on a regional police force.
The compromise is a stark contrast to just a week ago, when Winder argued with the Salt Lake County Council over the original text of the bill. SB153 would have stripped Winder of his powers and instead given the County Council authority to enter into an agreement with the cities to create a regional police force.
But the bill was completely overhauled Wednesday, and Winder changed his tune.
Now, the bill gives Winder until Jan. 1, 2009, to negotiate a regional police effort. If he doesn't succeed, the County Council could then go over the sheriff's head and negotiate with cities for police services.
Several cities have bolted from contracts with the sheriff's office over the years, instead opting to start their own police departments. Cottonwood Heights was the latest city to drop out.
And an effort to start the Unified Police Department failed a year ago in the name of local control. Cities wanted a bigger say on budgets and such, but current law gives the final say to the sheriff.
Now SB153 would create a governing board over the cooperative police effort, with the county receiving three votes and each city receiving one vote. The board would be in charge of policy and budgets.
That kind of control is exactly what Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall wants. His city ended its contract with the sheriff in 2004 after wrangling over contract issues became too much.
"The problem is, in the county, there are so many elected officials that you have to run through the gantlet," Wall said. "By the time you get through you don't have any semblance of a contract you can live with."
Both Taylorsville and Cottonwood Heights are interested in teaming up with the sheriff to pool some police services, several sources told the Deseret Morning News.
Holladay Mayor Dennis Webb said a regional approach to policing is the best, not the splintered approach the county is venturing into.
"That kind of concept would be best for the citizens of the county," Webb said of regional policing,
Something needed to change at the sheriff's office, County Councilman Mark Crockett said. With just four contract cities left, residents of unincorporated Salt Lake County are paying more than their fair share for police services, Crockett said.
"Clearly on its face with all the cities that have left, the old model was not working for cities," Crockett said. "We'll be happy to adopt virtually any model if it works for both the cities and the unincorporated residents."
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com
Comments
- Cashing checks costly for woman 3:33 p.m.
- Blood thinner Effient cleared 3:27 p.m.
- WGU grads are largest-ever class 3:26 p.m.
- Dems: tax the rich for health care 3:24 p.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 3:06 p.m.
- Hill Cumorah Pageant 3:04 p.m.
- 2 Tooele police officers fired 2:52 p.m.
- Baseball teams fear 'haunted' hotel 2:51 p.m.
- Stocks falter 2:50 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested 2:50 p.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
137 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
132 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
88 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - LDS seminary principal arrested
74 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I blame the girl. Seriously, she is called the "victim" like he was...
To Anonymous, This article has nothing to do with government run health...
Being able write comment posts to a newspaper story, does NOT make you an...
Police have solid evidence as was already reported in this article about...
I didn't ask you for a plan. My point is you don't think we are affecting...
To "Anonymous | 2:20 p.m." they have been the majority since 2006. If they...
RedShirt is usually good for a laugh. It's just that he posts the same...
The church is perfect - the members aren't. This guy made a big mistake...
After reading this I can't say I know the entire story, and I can't say I...
Regardless of what he did.... (if the article is all true) he saved many,...


You can be the first to comment on this story.