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Sheriff suggests merger of forces

He says Treasure Island can save money by disbanding the police force and contracting with his department.

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published August 14, 2005

The day after police Chief Joseph Pelkington announced his retirement, Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats made phone calls to city commissioners.

"He was making an offer," said Commissioner Alan Bildz.

With the "leadership vacancy" in its police department, Coats said now is a good time for Treasure Island to consider disbanding its police force and contracting with his department.

Coats prefers to call the option a "merger" rather than a takeover. He is scheduled to make a formal presentation to commissioners at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at City Hall, 120 108th Ave.

"I think we have a lot more law enforcement resources to offer in terms of expertise," said Coats. And, he can save the city a lot of money.

Coats said he wasn't prepared yet to say exactly how much cheaper it would be to have deputies rather than city officers patrolling the streets. But, the contract would "eliminate any liability on the part of the city," he said.

In 1998, the last time the Sheriff's Office made a formal offer to the city, former Sheriff Everett Rice said he could save Treasure Island about $750,000 a year.

Currently, the Treasure Island Police Department has 20 sworn officers and an annual budget of about $1.6-million to provide service for the city's 7,500 residents.

In a letter to Mayor Mary Maloof, Coats said the Sheriff's Office has the "expertise, experience and professionalism to provide your citizens with a level of service equivalent, if not greater, than what is currently being provided."

For starters, Coats said he would hire all the current police department employees, including the support staff. He would pay their current salaries or higher. Right now, the starting salary for city police officers is $31,000. The starting salary for a sheriff's deputy is $36,704. As deputies, Coats said, the officers also would have more opportunities for career advancement.

Any decision to abolish the city police department has to be made by the voters and at least three of the five commissioners. Just last March, residents overwhelmingly passed a city charter amendment requiring an election before the police or fire departments could be disbanded. The next city election is March 2006.

Coats knows the issue is passionate. It was when his deputies replaced city officers in Dunedin, Madeira Beach and, most recently in 1998, in Redington Beach and North Redington Beach.

"We tailor our service to meet the needs of the community," said Coats. "We're warm and fuzzy, too, and we can give that personal touch."

Mayor Maloof said she has no interest in changing police service.

"There's always the money issue," she said. "I think with the quality of service and the attention we get, the citizens are willing to pay for it."

Her colleagues on the commission said they would like to hear the sheriff's presentation and let the voters decide the issue.

"I want to see it on the ballot," said Commissioner Phil Collins. "Let's let the people decide and put it to rest."

[Last modified August 14, 2005, 00:53:19]