Trustees: Police dept. will remain

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) - Miami Township Trustees are hearing comments right now from concerned residents regarding claims the board has plans to fold its police department.  The meeting is packed.

In late January, officials with a local police union said Trustee Mike Nolan engaged in talks with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office to take over police services.  It prompted a meeting between Nolan, Miami Township Fraternal Order of Police President Mike Siney and two Miami Township police sergeants.

"We know our citizens and our citizens know us," said Siney.  "The average officer in this department has 15 years of work in the Miami Township community."

Fears of how this proposed change would affect the community and the 41 positions that make up the Miami Township police department prompted Siney to ask residents to voice their concerns during Monday's board meeting.  Many people have already done so to Nolan, who denied Monday afternoon he had any secret negotiations with the sheriff.

The Trustee called the contents of a flier distributed by members of the FOP "misinformation"

"I have not talked with the Sheriff about any of this," said Nolan.  "It was just a fact finding mission to prepare for the worst case scenario should the levy fail."

Nolan, who is a former chief deputy with the sheriff's office, admitted he looked into the idea of contracting out police services to the Montgomery County Sheriff's office in an attempt to potential save the township money.  He said 50% of Miami Township officers will be laid off if residents do not pass the police levy on the upcoming May ballot.

Miami Township Trustee President Deborah Preston didn't confirm Nolan's statement on what would happen to the department should the levy fail.  Rather, she stressed the importance of passing the upcoming levy.

"The board has had no discussions about nor any intent to close down the police department," said Preston.  "We are going to be making our case to the citizens and explaining why we need to renew the current levy.  We want to provide the excellent services that our residents and businesses have had for many years."

A 5-mill, 5-year police levy failed in November. 

2 News will have full coverage of what happened during the board meeting tonight on 2 NEWS on Dayton's CW at 10 pm. and 2 NEWS at 11 p.m..