A sizable crowd is expected tonight in Miami Township in Montgomery County at the board of trustees meeting. At issue is the fate of the police department. In May, voters there will be asked to vote on a 5.25 mill police levy, and a 3.5 mill fire renewal levy for fire services.
When Miami Twpship Trustees approved those measures several weeks ago, they also talked about the possibility of contracting out Twp. police services. Now Miami Twp. Police officers are trying to find out where they stand.
Fraternal Order of Police Union President Mike Siney says he fears discussions aren't taking place through proper channels, and believes Miami Twp. citizens should be a part of any talks that could dismantle the Police Department, which has 41 sworn officers and another 15 or so administrative staff. Siney says, "Disbanding a police department of our size is just unheard of and there's no valid reason to do so. Our officers are invested in the community, they live within the community, they lay their heads in the community. Our average officer has fifteen years experience in Miami Twp. We really just want to hold on to our identity. That's what we fear most is our identity is being sold.”
Several Trustees have told media outlets that they never officially commissioned a study on contracting out police services and hope the levy will support the townships’ police department.
