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Union City Council hires part-time officer as police chief flags heavy call load
Summary
Union City Borough voted unanimously to hire Kenneth Fye as a part-time police officer and discussed increases in complex calls; the chief reported 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 and secured community foundation grants for tasers and cameras.
Union City Borough Council voted Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer.
Mayor Robert Wolf and several councilors said maintaining a local police department is important; Wolf recommended adding part-time staff to increase coverage. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council that the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that hiring part-time would cost less than the full-time amount.
Police Chief David Pernice reviewed the department’s July 2024 activity and told council that from June 1 to Aug. 13 the department handled 269 calls—roughly 3.63 calls per day—including vehicle pursuits, protection-from-abuse matters, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, homelessness responses and suicide/mental-health incidents. Pernice said some calls can occupy an entire shift and thanked council for agreeing to the part-time hire.
Pernice also reported that he and Officer Shelly attended an Alert Active Shooter training July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department and that the Union City Community Foundation awarded two grants: one for four tasers and a second for additional security cameras covering another section of North Main Street.
The motion to hire Kenneth Fye as a part-time officer was made by Councilor Matt Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn; the motion carried unanimously.
