Politics & Government

Suprvisors Accept Police Chief's Resignation

As Upper Macugie decides whether to start its own police force or remain with Berks-Lehigh Regional, the chief of police submits a resignation letter. Or it is a notice of retirement?

Berks-Lehigh Regional Chief of Police, Michael P. Weiser, will retire Dec. 31, unless the police commission agrees to terms that extend his contract to 2015.

This comes at a time when is deciding whether to continue as part of the regional police or to break off with its own force.

With about a dozen in attendance, Upper Macungie supervisors unanimously accepted the chief’s retirement letter, though it was more often referred to as a resignation letter at .

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“We hope [the chief’s resignation] won’t be a distraction to the officers,” said Supervisor Samir Ashmar, who also sits on the police commission. “You guys will [have jobs] whether we spin off on our own or stay regionalized.”

The problem, Ashmar said, is that Upper Macungie pays about 76 percent of the Berks-Lehigh budget (about $2.8 million) but only has a 25 percent voting stake in how that money is used.  The other municipalities in the regional force include Maxatawny Township, Topton Borough and Lyons Borough.

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ashmar said that no decision has been made about what the township will do, whether it will re-negotiate the department’s charter with the other municipalities to more evenly spread the cost, or to create its own police department.

For that reason, until a decision is made, the township does not want to enter into any new contracts with the police force, said township solicitor Andrew Schantz.

Weiser’s letter, dated Sept. 19 (attached), states that for family reasons he wants to enter retirement. He also states that he has another law enforcement job opportunity, but will consider these options only if he is not given a contract extension.

In accepting the letter, Ashmar said it was the chief’s decision to leave the force and the township accepts his reasons. The supervisors then unanimously approved a motion to appoint another officer as acting chief if the chief does leave.

The other municipalities in the police commission must also vote to accept  Weiser’s retirement or to enter into new contract negotiations.

The next police commission meeting is Oct. 17 in the .


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