HERMITAGE City considers hiring part-time police officers

Three city commissioners think it might be worth taking a look at.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Should the city consider hiring part-time police officers?
It has none now, but a couple city commissioners think the idea is worth examining.
William Scanlon, president of the board of commissioners, raised the subject at a workshop this week while reviewing police records for the previous month.
There were a lot of overtime hours accumulated to fill in for officers on vacation and those who had to attend court hearings, he said, suggesting it may be time to look at the issue of hiring part-time officers to reduce some of the overtime cost.
"I'm against part-time policemen," said Commissioner Larry Gurrera, reacting quickly to Scanlon's suggestion.
Others took a different stance.
Supporters: The city should look at the use of part-time officers, Commissioner Joseph Augustine said. Commissioner Pat White agreed, suggesting they might be helpful during the summer months.
Commissioner Sylvia Stull made no comment.
City Manager Gary Hinkson, a former police officer in the city, said the issue has been discussed by commissioners before, but no action was ever taken.
The city wouldn't be able to act on such a matter unilaterally, he said. It would have to be a negotiated item in the city's contract with the Fraternal Order of Police.
The president of the FOP couldn't be reached.
Meanwhile, the city is in the process of hiring a full-time officer to fill a vacancy in the 28-member department, Hinkson said.