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East Goshen board approves police staffing study amid debate over selection and public discussion
Summary
The board authorized up to $50,000 to contract with Dega Law Group for a policing staffing and structure study, clarifying each township would cap its share at $25,000. Some supervisors objected to limiting consultant-selection discussion to executive session; police leadership said they support the study.
The East Goshen Township Board of Supervisors voted June 18 to move forward with a study of the police department’s staffing model, approving the police commission’s recommendation to retain Dega Law Group and authorizing up to $50,000 for the work.
Township staffer Derek summarized an almost six-month request-for-proposal process and told the board the commission received five qualified responses before recommending Dega Law Group. "We received five very qualified firms and we do feel comfortable with the selection process," Derek said.
Board members clarified the $50,000 cap would be shared by the participating municipalities; staff explained each township is expected to contribute up to $25,000. The board approved the funding by voice vote.
The decision followed questions from supervisors about how much of the consultant selection and negotiation can be discussed publicly. One committee member told colleagues she was "concerned" that contractual negotiations were handled outside public discussion and said restricting selection details to executive session "feels like a violation of the Sunshine Act." Staff and the solicitor responded that while contract negotiations are traditionally discussed in executive session, the contract and the study’s findings will be presented in public when finalized.
Police leadership signaled support for the study. Chief Lov said she had previously backed bringing in an outside consultant and said the board and police commission solicited internal feedback during the process. "I support a consultant coming in… I am thrilled that you picked a consultant," Chief Lov said, noting the department had previously debated staffing models for several years.
Board members also flagged timing concerns: the initial consultant meeting had been proposed for July, which a number of supervisors cautioned could clash with reduced summer staffing and a major community event the department must support. Staff responded that the schedule could be adjusted and suggested remote initial meetings if necessary.
The study is expected to analyze shift staffing, workload and long-term structure; board members said any operational changes identified by the study would need to consider union contracts and likely be implemented over several years through attrition.
The board did not provide a specific vote tally beyond the voice vote and instructed staff to proceed with the procurement and to return with the contract for formal ratification.
