Ross Township commissioners highlight key findings ahead of making report on police department public
ROSS TOWNSHIP ( KDKA) -- Ross Township's Board of Commissioners is planning to make a new report on the police department public.
Back in 2020, the commissioners asked a police management consultant to identify the causes of internal problems within the police department. Shortly after the report was finalized last year, a copy was requested under the Right-to-Know Law.
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The consultant highlighted several key findings, including no officer or member of the department's administration has violated any township policies.
Board of Commissioners President Dan DeMarco highlights these findings ahead of the report's release.
• The Consultant found the Chief and members of the Police Department to be candid, polite, and professional.
• The report addresses staffing issues for a Township of our size and indicates we may be overstaffed at our current levels.
• No officer or member of the Department Administration has violated any Township policies.
• "Communication has become a significant issue within the Police Department. There is very little positive verbal communication or interaction between and among management, supervision and rank and file Officers. Communication via the computer email system is reported to be the dominant manner of communication. Face to face, eye to eye communication is reported to be limited to only when it is unavoidable."
• The Department's Education and Training requirements need to be updated to be compliant with current professional police standards.
• The Department also needs to update their procedures for professional personnel management as it relates to promotional procedures and job descriptions to meet recommended standards within this area.
• There is a definite split between several first-line Supervisors (Sergeants) and the Command Officers (Lieutenants and Chief of Police). This is a very problematic situation that is in need of immediate and continued attention.
DeMarco said he wants the public to understand the board of commissioners never had anything to hide.
"I was pleased with the study. It was very in-depth and very extensive," he said.
DeMarco said they've been addressing issues since the report was finalized.
"We have an obligation as elected officials to our residents, and that's why we did this," DeMarco said.
The township is currently interviewing candidates for the next chief of police. DeMarco hopes the new chief will help turn things around. He said these issues are internal and the officers are some of the finest in Allegheny County.
Frank Colucci, who lives in Ross Township, said he is frustrated it took so long for the report to come out.
"It's our report, it's our township, it's not for them to run the township how they see fit," he said.
Organizations and individuals who want to read the full report will have to request it through the township. To make a request, contact Open Records Officer Adam Ravenstahl.
