Union City council approves hiring of part-time police officer to broaden coverage

The Union City Borough Council voted Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer to increase coverage.

Mayor Robert Wolf said maintaining a police department is important to the borough and recommended hiring a part-time officer. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that a part-time hire would cost less depending on hours worked. Councilor Matt Joyce moved to hire the candidate and Councilor Osborn seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent department activity, saying the department handled 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13, averaging about 3.63 calls per day. He told council some calls can occupy an entire shift, citing recent incidents including pursuits, protection-from-abuse cases, domestics, drug activity and mental-health incidents. Chief Pernice also said he and Officer Shelly attended an active-shooter training July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department, and that the UC Community Foundation awarded grants for four tasers and an additional set of security cameras for North Main Street coverage.

The hire is intended to increase patrol coverage while keeping personnel costs lower than a full-time position. Council voted without objection to the appointment; the new part-time officer’s hours and start date were not specified in open session.

The council’s next meeting is Aug. 27, 2024; a schedule change was also approved to meet the first and third Mondays Sept. through April at 6:30 p.m.