Although Sergeant LaPointe's training was authorized by Commissioners in January, they were divided at their August 15 meeting on whether to send him to a three-day "Prosecuting the Drugged Driver" training session at State College this September at a cost of $200 for training, a two-night stay and meals.
Commissioner Michael Hudak noted that the actual cost to the township will be closer to $1,486, if you include the salary paid to him over that time. "I'd rather see that money spent on some type of re-certification," he argued. He noted that while LaPointe is at State College, "his service will be missed in the Township."
But Commissioner Jerry Batcha disagreed, noting that salaries are aid to officers when they are certified, too. "I think that's a little unfair," he reasoned, noting that this seminar would make Sergeant LaPointe's initial training "all the more valuable. Commissioner Thomas Nolan agreed with Batcha, noting that the Township has traditionally supported training so officers can better do their job. "The more training they have, the better off we as a Township are," he concluded.
Batcha, Nolan and President Arthur Murphy agreed to pay for the training. But Hudak, joined by Commissioner Paul Weiss, voted No.
Commissioner Michael Hudak noted that the actual cost to the township will be closer to $1,486, if you include the salary paid to him over that time. "I'd rather see that money spent on some type of re-certification," he argued. He noted that while LaPointe is at State College, "his service will be missed in the Township."
But Commissioner Jerry Batcha disagreed, noting that salaries are aid to officers when they are certified, too. "I think that's a little unfair," he reasoned, noting that this seminar would make Sergeant LaPointe's initial training "all the more valuable. Commissioner Thomas Nolan agreed with Batcha, noting that the Township has traditionally supported training so officers can better do their job. "The more training they have, the better off we as a Township are," he concluded.
Batcha, Nolan and President Arthur Murphy agreed to pay for the training. But Hudak, joined by Commissioner Paul Weiss, voted No.
Decriminalize and stop wasting money trying to enforce prohibitions that we know don't work. Cut all drug war funds in half and use the remaining half solely for treatment. It will put an entire sector of the criminal justice system out of work and save taxpayers a pile of money.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:04. So.. you would have people on drugs and alcohol getting behind and wheel and driving stoned or drunk? You would have people wandering the streets stoned and drunk and offer them so called treatment? Ok. Enough said. I am sure treatment really works. Last I remember hearing is once a drug addict or alcoholic, always one. Lock em up!!
ReplyDeleteI think the bigger issue is micromanagement. Provide the police department a training budget and let the police management decide how it is spent. To need approval for a few day class is ridiculous.
ReplyDeletemust have attended the dolan scholl of mismanagement
ReplyDeletethat is one of the scariest pictures I have seen in a long time....
ReplyDeleteI'll try to find more.
ReplyDelete