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Herriman Splits From Unified Police, Pledges To Start Local Force

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There might be such a thing as a Herriman Police Department by the end of this summer. The Herriman City Council voted Wednesday to cut ties with the Unified Police Department.

The council chose not to renew the city’s $5 million contract because they said they’re not getting their money’s worth. Councilwoman Nicole Martin said they’re paying about a million dollars too much, the equivalent of about five police officers.

“And we simply think that is unacceptable and not doing justice to our residents who frankly we hear complaints from all the time that they would like to see more officers on the street,” Martin said.

Unified Police Department is a Salt Lake County service that numerous cities pay for.

Not everyone agrees that Herriman is paying too much. That includes County Councilman Jim Bradley, who sits on the Unified Police board.

“I think it’s a mistake on their part,” Bradley said. “Nobody else as far as I can tell, in terms of membership on the board and cities and townships we represent have any major concern with the services being delivered. They’re all quite delighted in fact by the way that it’s working.”

Bradley said the split might complicate the budget process, but Unified Police will continue operating normally.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said she’ll help the city with the transition but warns they’ll come to realize how expensive it is to run their own police department.

Herriman will stay on with Unified Police at least through July 1st.

Whittney Evans grew up southern Ohio and has worked in public radio since 2005. She has a communications degree from Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, where she learned the ropes of reporting, producing and hosting. Whittney moved to Utah in 2009 where she became a reporter, producer and morning host at KCPW. Her reporting ranges from the hyper-local issues affecting Salt Lake City residents, to state-wide issues of national interest. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the guitar and getting to know the breathtaking landscape of the Mountain West.
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