JAMESTOWN – Local taxpayers could see a savings of up to $7 million over five years if the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office merged with the Jamestown Police Department. That’s according to a Police Consolidation Study released by the Center for Governmental Research – or “CGR” – which is entitled “Modeling Options for a Consolidated Law Enforcement Agency” and was commissioned by the city of Jamestown and Chautauqua County.
According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, the consolidation study was released Saturday and lays out options for organizational consolidation models, how to implement those models and cost estimates.
The report provides several options for consolidation –ranging from more shared services between the two police agencies to a full merger of operations.
In order for the latter to take place, the Jamestown City Council would need to vote to eliminate the JPD. Additionally, the county would agree to add deputies in order to ensure adequate police coverage in Jamestown.
A third option involves having metro police serving the entire county. It could encompass all current municipal operations and provide coverage to the entire county.
A final option does not involve an operational merger. Instead, it focuses on a shared provision of common services within the two entities, including detectives, K-9 and more.
Local officials will review the report and discuss it further in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the entire report may be found online at:
www.cgr.org/jamestown/docs/Baseline-and-Prelim-Options-11-9-2012.pdf.
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