Herriman leaders on Wednesday moved toward cutting ties with Unified police to grow their own police force instead. YouTube screenshot
SALT LAKE CITY — The Unified Police Department is scrambling to revise its budget now that Herriman has opted to pull out of the countywide law enforcement agency to start its own police force.
The Herriman City Council voted Wednesday night to leave UPD, saying residents are paying for too many services they don’t receive.
Councilman Jared Henderson says the countywide model doesn’t work for his city.
“We feel, as elected officials, our job is to safeguard the public purse. We’re looking out for their tax dollars,” Henderson said. “We’ve done our homework, after years of frustrations of not being able to get those (cost) numbers, and feel that this is the direction we need to go in.”
The UPD board of directors voted Thursday to request an official departure date from Herriman. Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera says UPD now must adjust its budget.
“The impact is huge — manpower impacts, financial impacts, equipment impacts,” Rivera said. “We need a date so we know what to fix in our current budget,” and in its budget going forward.
No timetable has been set for Herriman’s departure from UPD, though Henderson said the City Council faces a July budget deadline and the goal is to have a decision made before that.
Henderson says the cities problems with UPD are organizational, not with the officers currently serving in the city.
Both agencies say they will work to make sure there’s a smooth transition between police departments to residents do not see a drop in service.
“First and foremost, safety is our priority. They’ll see know interruption in service in any way, shape or form, no matter what the badge says,” Henderson said.