Senate endorses effort to create regional police force

A bill to spark a move toward a regional Salt Lake County police force was approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

The compromise bill is a stark contrast to the original text of SB253, which would have stripped Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim 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.

Now, the bill gives Winder until May. 5, 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 SB253 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.

The bill now moves to the House.