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Tredyffrin board votes to raise minimum police staffing to 45 after lengthy debate
Summary
After extended discussion about retirements, recruitment and budget impacts, the Board amended and approved Resolution 2024-8 to increase the township's minimum police complement from 42 to 45 sworn officers effective Jan. 1, 2025; board members cited cadet and lateral-hire programs and projected retirements through 2028.
Tredyffrin Township supervisors voted on June 17 to amend and adopt Resolution 2024-8 to increase the township’s minimum sworn police complement to 45 officers, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The resolution was introduced on the agenda to raise minimum staffing from 42 to 44, but Supervisor Matt Holt moved to amend the proposal to 45 during a lengthy public discussion that included police leadership, finance-committee members, and members of the public. The police chief described recruitment plans — including a cadet program and incentives for lateral hires — and presented projections showing multiple retirements over the next several years. "We actually have five active officers that are past their superannuation date…12 that will reach their superannuation date by the end of 2028," the chief said, arguing the department needed additional capacity to maintain service levels and investigative capacity.
Supervisors and residents debated trade-offs between immediate staffing increases and long-term budget impacts. Supervisor Holt urged adoption of 45 officers, framing it as a prudent long-term milestone, while others expressed concern about the fiscal effect and requested a public presentation of police data and finances. Public commenter Carol Clark asked that the township provide broader public information before votes on major budget items: "Before you vote on anything, shouldn't we have more public background... and a specific presentation focusing on this?" Supporters argued the additional officers could reduce overtime and provide coverage during peak periods; one supervisor estimated an additional officer could mean roughly a 2% tax increase per officer, while staff discussed per-officer full cost ranges from about $90,000 for a cadet in year one up to roughly $150,000 for a lateral hire depending on experience and benefits.
After public comment and discussion the board voted to amend the resolution to 45 and then to adopt the amended resolution by roll-call vote. Supervisors said the change is effective Jan. 1 and that the police chief will provide further crime-statistics briefings to the public. The board and staff noted implementation will include recruitment through the cadet and lateral-hire programs and budgeting steps in upcoming cycles.
