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BLUFFDALE -- Leaders of Bluffdale are scheduled to discuss and take a vote Tuesday night on whether or not continue getting police protection from the newly-formed Unified Police Department.
Bluffdale City Manager Mark Reid says they've been weighing three options.
The first would be to stick with the current UPD contract.
"I don't think we have any real concerns. They've been professional and good at what they do. They have very good officers," Reid said about the former Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. But he added that some residents feel they could get more for their money.
Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
The Bluffdale fire station
14350 S. 2200 West
"For us it's an opportunity to increase our level of service without increasing our cost too much," said Reid.
Under the current UPD contract, Reid says the city has an officer in town 60 percent of the time. Saratoga Springs, on the other hand, is the second option they are considering. Bluffdale's neighboring city from Utah County is proposing to have at least one officer on duty in the city at all times.
With the Saratoga Springs option, Bluffdale would also create its own precinct with officers assigned to Bluffdale city with their own uniforms and logos, but they would be managed by and report to the Saratoga Springs police chief.
This proposal, at first, would cost more than the current contract with UPD with the inclusion of start-up costs, but then drop to a lower level the following year.
A third option is for the city to create its own police force. This would be the most costly option and resources would be limited.
If a major emergency happened, the Unified Police Department would have the most resources to offer. Saratoga Springs would be able to pull officers from its city to lend a hand in Bluffdale as well when needed.
Tuesday night's Bluffdale city council meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and the police department decision will be close to the top of the agenda.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
