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A meaningful process with the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of law enforcement throughout Salt Lake County is getting underway. KSL applauds the effort to organize a Unified Police Authority. We especially acknowledge Sheriff Aaron Kennard’s leadership, notably his willingness to give up a significant portion of his jurisdiction and power in order to encourage the change.
Formal talks officially get underway tomorrow when representatives of the county and the cities of Herriman, Riverton, Bluffdale, Holladay and Cottonwood Heights will meet to begin exploring the idea. If done right, their work could set a standard that will become appealing to other municipalities in the county and lead to broader participation.
Such cooperation makes sense. Rather than a dilution of vital law enforcement tools through a patchwork of small bureaucracies, resources could be marshaled for the good of all.
In KSL’s view, last year’s creation of a Unified Fire Authority in the county provides an excellent example of how it can be done, as well as the benefits that can result from a unified approach to key emergency services. We look forward to the development of a Unified Police Authority and urge those involved to pursue the process in a spirit of cooperation.
