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Union City council unanimously approves hiring part‑time police officer
Summary
Union City Borough Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time officer; councilors said part‑time staffing will reduce costs while improving coverage, and the police chief noted rising call volumes.
Union City Borough Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time police officer. The motion was made by Councilor Matt Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn.
The move followed remarks by Mayor Robert Wolf urging the borough to maintain a municipal police department and recommending a part‑time hire. “It’s important to maintain a Police Department in the Borough and we’re doing the best we can with what we have,” Mayor Robert Wolf said. Councilors said part‑time status would lower costs while expanding 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 come in below that figure depending on hours worked. Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent call volume as background for the decision, reporting 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 — about 3.63 calls per day — and citing a range of incidents including pursuits, protection‑from‑abuse matters, domestics, drug activity, vandalism and recent suicide/mental‑health responses.
Chief Pernice also said he and an officer attended an active‑shooter training in late July and that the UC Community Foundation awarded funding for four tasers and security cameras along North Main Street after the department applied for support.
The council did not attach additional conditions to the hiring motion; the vote was recorded as unanimous among councilors present.
