Indemnity Protection Signed by Manor Township Supervisors
Manor Township supervisors unanimously signed an indemnity agreement prior on the advice of Solicitor Andrew Sacco prior to Ford City Borough Police patrolling Crooked Creek State Park - which includes portions of Manor Township.
by Jonathan Weaver
Before any formal agreement is made between the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and Ford City Borough Police, Manor Township supervisors instituted a layer of protection.
Supervisors unanimously passed an indemnity agreement before the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers effectively hires Ford City Borough Police to patrol Crooked Creek State Park – which includes portions in Manor Township.
Township supervisors met with Ford City Borough officials at least two weeks ago after Solicitor Andrew Sacco recommended Manor Township sign the indemnity agreement, Supervisor Chair Paul Rearick and Vice-Chair Robert Southworth said.
“In a nutshell, what it is is that Manor Township is not liable for any actions by Ford City Police officers while they are in Manor Township in performance with their duties at Crooked Creek State Park,” Rearick said. “We’re protecting the township from any liable actions against it by any actions other than by our police officers.”
A similar agreement was reportedly signed by Bethel Township supervisors.
Supervisor Don Palmer added that Manor Township’s part-time police force was not approached about possibly patrolling Crooked Creek State Park.
But, neither supervisors nor police officers hold any resentment against either the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Ford City Borough.
“None whatsoever,” Police Sgt. Terry Bish said. “I’m happy for them – I hope it works out.”
Ford City Borough Police is to patrol about 280 hours in Crooked Creek State Park through Labor Day.
Last week, Ford City Police Chief Roger Wright reported letters were received from Burrell and Bethel Township permitted the 280 hours of patrol until Labor Day. Letters had to be forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for further approval.
Chief Wright anticipated approval before the next council meeting, and council members approved the Law Enforcement Cooperative Agreement (LECA) contract pending approval.
The contract will be re-evaluated annually.
Mayor Jeff Cogley said the department was approached for the opportunity at the end of January because of drug and alcohol problems in the area.
He explained in April that Ford City was approached because of the more shifts available in the evening. The contract will cost the Army Corps of Engineers about $8,500.
“We looked at it, and thought it was a good thing,” Mayor Cogley said. “The Borough’s going to make some profit off of it after the police officers are paid and everything.”
Ford City currently budgeted about $185,000 in wages for the year.
At that time, Mayor Cogley said Ford City Police is also looking to contract with other municipalities.
“It’s going to be good for the police department in the future,” Mayor Cogley added.
The extra responsibilities would not affect coverage in Ford City Borough. Additional Ford City Borough Council actions are pending, as well as those by Solicitor Anthony Vigilante.
In other police business, Sgt. Terry Bish reported that officers handled 145 events in about nearly 320 hours of patrol time during the month of May.
Rearick applauded Sgt. Bish for the report – which he said was more detailed and with more explanation. He was also pleased with patrols around Armstrong Junior/Senior High and Lenape Technical School.
Resident Larry Cecchi also thanked officers for their diligence.
“Thank you for a job well done,” Cecchi said.
Supervisors accepted the resignation of Officer Joshua Wilford, who resigned effective May 28.
Officer Wilford has served with Manor Township since the beginning of March.
To fill the 12-man roster, Sgt. Bish recommended the hire of retired Pennsylvania State Police Sergeant Kenneth Markilinski.
Markilinski’s hire was unanimously approved pending an assortment of testing in Harrisburg.
Markilinski – a Manor Township resident - retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in 2012.
New part-time officer Eric Petrosky – who is also a retired Pennsylvania State Police trooper – also attended the public meeting.
Ford City, Manor Township | jweaver June 2, 2016
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By jorn jensen, June 2, 2016 @ 7:05 AM
Welcome to the litigative world of the billboard lawyers.
By sean spring, June 4, 2016 @ 8:00 AM
I sure hope that the Army Corps plan on buying a patrol vehicle since the TAXPAYERS of Ford City paid for the new cop car. Also, how far away from FC is Crooked Creek? When seconds count, the cops will be literally minutes away…so much for keeping the cops to patrol OUR borough…