By: Brad Flynn | Published October 3, 2023
July 1, 2023, marked the 5th year Bath has been under the jurisdiction of PSP.
In the lead up to officially withdrawing from Colonial Regional police services there was a lot of public discussion. Borough Council committed during the transitional process to evaluate police services over the course of 5 years. In 2023, it was time to act in fulfilling that commitment. And Borough Council did.
In early 2023, the Borough signed a letter of intent for the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development (DCED) Governor’s Center for Local Government Services to assist Borough Officials with studying overall police services. In addition, DCED would review services provided to the Borough between Colonial Regional in the past (pre-2018) and PSP to present (mid 2018-2022).
The state provided these services to the Borough free of charge.
The police services study began around May and concluded in September. Police data was collected beginning in June, with first, a community survey. The Borough thanks everyone who participated in this important community survey as part of the Police Services Study. The finalized report is below.
Bath’s Police Services Study was spearheaded by Police Peer Consultant, Police Chief David A. Mettin, of the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services. Chief Mettin is the current police Chief of Plumstead Township, Bucks County. Chief Mettin helped to create and was the first police chief of the Slate Belt Regional Police Department. Chief Mettin has 30 years of law enforcement experience. Since 2017, Chief Mettin has been a consultant with the Center for Local Government Services. He has completed 20 other similar studies with the Center. The Borough wishes to thank Chief Mettin for completing this report for the Borough.
The Borough wishes to thank the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, Ms. Anne Weaver Morrow, Frederick Chapman, Yvonne Lemelle, and Kelly Wilson for their support prior to, during, and upon completion of Bath’s Police Services Study. Borough officials now have data driven, fact-based evidence to weigh its police service options, both in the short and long term.
Finally, the Borough wishes to acknowledge and express gratitude for the years of service from Colonial Regional Police and the Borough’s current law enforcement partner, PSP– for providing the highest caliber of public safety professionalism and truly playing a big part in Bath’s successes today.
Borough residents: Please find below, a copy of the Police Services Study for your review. Borough Council will continue to review the data, which will be discussed at a future Council meeting.
