North Logan considers leaving North Park police, contracting with sheriff
Apr 27, 2018, 9:37 PM | Updated: Apr 28, 2018, 1:26 am
NORTH LOGAN, Utah – In his department of 10 officers, the North Park Police Chief Kim Hawkes says he’d like to see a better career ladder and pay for his staff, in order to stay competitive.
Police Chief Kim Hawkes
“Almost all of us in the valley are experiencing the challenge of finding enough recruits to meet the demand we have,” Hawkes said.
At the same time, North Logan city leaders are taking a close look at their overall city budget. Along with that, came the question over whether the citizens would want to continue paying for a community-based police force, or contract with the Cache County Sheriff’s Department.
“We don’t really have the option of continuing to try to field our own police force, without some kind of an increased revenue stream,” Mayor John Bailey said. “It’s really part of a much larger question of looking into how we can best meet the needs of the various departments, and make that fit into the revenue sources that we have.”
Mayor John Bailey
Bailey says the city could save an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 a year by contracting with the county. He also adds that it’s worth considering whether residents believe it’s worthwhile to keep North Park going.
“Is it the right thing for North Logan to do?” Bailey said. “There are those issues, and I think there are things to be said for trying to keep our own police department if the citizens are willing to pay for it.”
Bailey says he’s surveyed several other cities that do contract with the Sheriff’s Department, and that he’s been hard-pressed to find any negative reviews.
North Park Police Officer Thomas Wahlberg, on a patrol shift Friday afternoon. Wahlberg recently accepted a job at the Rich County Sheriff’s Department to be closer to home and family.
“I press them. I say, ‘Come on. tell me something you’re not happy with.’ And they say they’re extremely happy with the level of service that we get,” Bailey explained.
Mayor Bailey says it’s now important that the citizens of North Logan offer their insights. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, at 7 p.m., inside Greenville Elementary School.
Bailey posted a statement regarding the budget concerns on the city’s website, which can be seen here.
Hawkes also posted a statement on the issue on the North Park Police Department’s Facebook page.
