Pennridge commission approves 2026 police budget but rejects requested 14th officer

Chief Paul T. Dickinson Jr. presented the fourth draft of the Pennridge Regional Police Department's 2026 budget and urged the commission to fund a 14th officer to create a second detective position, saying the change was needed because of the “type of crimes that were being committed and resources that need to be allocated to adequately investigate those crimes.”

The budget presentation included an appeal to avoid delaying a planned vehicle purchase, which the chief said would be detrimental to the department’s capital improvement plan. Dickinson told the commission he had followed the Public Safety Committee’s recommendations, including a suggested two‑year hiring plan for additional staff.

Commissioner Jay Keyser told the commission that after several West Rockhill Township board meetings his board concluded hiring a 14th officer was “not a sound financial decision.” East Rockhill supervisors and Township Manager Marianne Morano expressed concern that West Rockhill would not support the chief’s recommendations; East Rockhill supervisors said their board voted to support the budget as presented.

On a motion by Commissioner Jay Keyser, seconded by Commissioner Hal Schirmer, the commission approved the 2026 budget without funding the 14th officer. The motion passed 2‑1, with Chairperson Gary Volovnik voting in opposition. The minutes record the vote outcome but do not list a roll‑call of every present participant.

The commission’s action keeps the department at its current authorized staffing level while approving the broader budget and associated capital items as presented in the packet.