Cities are looking at options for unified police services

City and county leaders considering whether a unified police district (UPD) should be formed in Salt Lake County were given another option to explore.

Under the current precinct model, cities have contracted with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement service. Several cities, however, are worried about cost and control issues. They are in favor of the UPD option. Some cities have threatened to do what Draper and Taylorsville did and become their own self-providing agencies if a UPD isn't formed.

During a monthly UPD organizing-board meeting on Tuesday, County Councilman Jim Bradley introduced a "district" model to be considered along with the precinct and UPD proposals. Under the district proposal, the organizing committee would ask state lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session to allow the new police force to be a tax-generating entity.

Bradley's motion to seek legislative approval on the district proposal passed. Supporters said the proposal would accomplish the goal of equalizing services and financial burdens among the cities.

Sheriff Jim Winder said, "A true special-services district is the long-term solution for law enforcement in the valley."

The organizing board also approved a job description for hiring a UPD transition director. Supporters say hiring a person for a year to work full-time on addressing all the intricacies of a UPD is not the same as actually committing to forming a unified police district.

Riverton Mayor Bill Applegarth said the cities need to know how they should plan next year's budgets, including whether they should plan for some sort of unified police entity, contract for services or self-provide them.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore said the cities were discussing forming a coalition to provide police services.

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