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Union City Borough Council votes to hire part-time officer from civil service list
Summary
The Union City Borough Council unanimously approved hiring Kenneth Fye as a part-time police officer from the certified civil service list, citing budget considerations and growing call volume. The police chief reported 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 and secured community foundation funding for tasers and cameras.
The Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 voted unanimously to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer.
Mayor Robert Wolf urged the council to maintain a local police force and recommended adding a part-time officer to improve coverage. Councilor Riley Cross and Councilor Matt Joyce said a part-time hire would lower costs while increasing patrol availability. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that the actual cost would depend on hours worked.
Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent department activity and training. “From June 1st to August 13th we had 269 calls averaging about 3.63 calls per day,” Pernice said, citing a mix of pursuits, protection-from-abuse orders, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity and homelessness-related calls. He said some calls can occupy an entire shift and noted recent suicide and mental-health incidents.
Pernice also said he and Officer Shelly attended an Alert Active Shooter training July 24–25 and reported two successful applications to the UC Community Foundation for four tasers and for additional security cameras to cover another section of North Main Street.
The motion to hire Fye was made by Councilor Matt Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn; the motion carried unanimously.
