Miami Twp. police Detective Mike Siney, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, organized the distribution of thousands of fliers last weekend regarding the possibility of contracting with the sheriff’s office and asking residents to support the police department and “make sure your voice is heard loud and clear.”
The flier listed trustee phone numbers and information about Tuesday night’s trustee meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Miami Twp. Government Center, 2700 Lyons Road.
“We hope that we can show the trustees the support we’re getting and invite them to sit down with us and see how we can get through these rough economic times,” Siney said of the potential turnout at tonight’s meeting. “Miami Twp.’s identity is very strong and prosperous, and we’re growing. This is not the time to make irrational decisions based on one levy failure (in November).”
The idea to contract with the sheriff’s office for police services was first discussed publicly by Trustee Mike Nolan, a former chief deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Nolan said in late November, after the 5-mill police levy's failure and the suspension of Miami Twp. Deputy Police Chief John DiPietro, that the township needed to look at restructuring its police department. DiPietro was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
However, Trustee President Deborah Preston said Friday that the concept of contracting with the sheriff’s office was briefly mentioned but that a study was not commissioned by the board of trustees.
“Maybe some things have been misconstrued, but there’s been no serious consideration given to this by our board,” Preston said. “I think our police department does an excellent job, and I side with the citizens in wanting to keep the police department in Miami Twp.”
The remaining Miami Twp. trustee, Charles Lewis, agreed with Preston’s assessment.
“I know of no report,” Lewis said Monday.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deferred all questions about this issue to the trustees, as did Acting Township Administrator Greg Rogers. Rogers is filling in for Township Administrator Greg Hanahan, who has been on accrued paid leave since late 2012.
Nolan could not be reached for comment Friday or Monday.
In January, the trustees put a 5.25-mill levy on the May ballot. Preston and Lewis said the levy would support the Miami Twp. Police Department.
“We’ve put the levy on the ballot because we want to move forward with Miami Twp.’s excellent police department,” Preston said.
Lewis agreed, but said it will all come down to what the township can afford.
“If the levy passes, I don’t foresee any changes in our police services,” Lewis said. “I hope people do show up (Tuesday); I hope they pass our levy.”
Siney said clarifying this issue for the community might affect whether residents are willing to pass the levy.
“If they know that (their vote) could potentially support the contracting of services, the outcome of the election might be different,” he said.
If there is a change in meeting venue due to crowd size, it will be noted on the township’s website.
Staff writer Mark Gokavi contributed to this report.
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