Sidney council ponders law enforcement future

(Sidney) — Sidney officials are weighing options regarding future law enforcement coverage.

Preliminary discussion on the proposed renewal of the city’s contract with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office took place at this week’s Sidney City Council meeting. Under the current 28-E agreement, the county provides the city’s law enforcement coverage through the end of next fiscal year. Sidney Mayor Justin Shirley tells KMA News council members want to explore all options–including restoring the city’s own police department.

“We’re just kind of doing some preliminary research as far as what the city may need as far as law enforcement moving forward,” said Shirley, “doing cost analysis, and potentially looking at other avenues to potentially share a police department with maybe another municipality, or just the school district. We’re simply in the information gathering stage now.”

Shirley says having a city police department offers both safety and financial advantages.

“It’s nothing that our sheriff’s department has done poorly,” he said. “But, having a town police officer, I think, adds an extra layer of security and piece of mind for our residents. Another thing is, with the sheriff’s department now, we don’t really collect any municipal infractions or things like that. Having a town police officer that’s in town patrolling their entire shift may generate some income for the city as far as municipal infractions and things like that that are right now going to the state or the county.”

Currently, the city pays the county $113,000 per year for law enforcement services. Shirley says no decisions were made Monday night. More discussion is expected at future council meetings.