Cottonwood Heights OKs police force

Cottonwood Heights resident Bill Morris, a Park City police officer who works part time for Murray Police as a hostage negotiator, agreed Tuesday with the council and mayor.

"I think that local control over law enforcement is very important," he said. "I believe it's time for the city to have its own police department, for a lot of reasons."

Morris added that agreements between police departments in geographically close cities work beautifully. Cottonwood Heights began negotiations to enter into such contracts prior to Tuesday's meeting.

The change from contracted law enforcement to independent policing will take about six months, according to a study commissioned by the city. The city is also required to give the Sheriff's Department 180 days' notice of its intent to withdraw from its contract. It did not do so Tuesday.

Winder said after Tuesday's meeting the Sheriff's Department will be available for every citizen of the county. However, he said the city claims it will be able to provide all services for itself.

Their decision will force them to rely on Midvale, Murray and Sandy for services, he said, so the decision is unfair to residents of those cities.

The change may cost the city between $1.6 million and $2.6 million plus an increase in annual costs of about $600,000. It will also allow qualify the city for federal grants and will allow it to build equity in its own equipment, according to Bonneville Research. However, no budgets have been approved nor have other specifics been decided.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com