State College Police Department’s proposed budget is not increasing — but services are. Here’s how
The State College Police Department is poised to see a smaller budget next year — but that’s not because services are shrinking.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The 2022 proposed budget would keep the number of police officers flat at 60 while increasing the number of civilian employees by two, to 12.5 total, with the addition of a community relations specialist and a social worker.
The reason that costs are actually down 5.5% this year, to about $10.8 million, is thanks to unusually low pension costs due to high-performing pension funds. That means College and Harris townships, which use the State College police, will also see a reduction in costs.
“As I told the two townships, I wouldn’t get used to that,” quipped Police Chief John Gardner.
An in-depth presentation on the proposed budget was made by Gardner during a council work session Monday night. A public hearing on the entire budget, including police, will take place Dec. 6 with more discussion Dec. 13 and council adoption set for Dec. 20.
The addition of the social worker is among the biggest changes to the department. The social worker — which will be used for short-term intervention, collaboration and police assistance — could eventually increase to several social workers in the coming years. However, Gardner hoped that would be in addition to, and not instead of, sworn police officers.
When impending Councilperson Gopal Balachandran, who takes office in January, asked whether it might make sense to instead fill an officer opening with another social worker, Gardner said he worried his officers might be stretched too thin if that were the case.
“It might sound trite, but I think you have to crawl before you walk and you have to walk before you run,” Gardner said. “So I really believe we start out with one, and I think it’s going to be pretty successful. And then don’t be surprised if we’re coming back here next year asking for a second one and maybe a third one a year after that.”
Another Big Ten college town — Bloomington, Indiana — has used such social workers since 2019. Gardner spoke to that department, which acknowledged to him that officers there were a little hesitant in the beginning.
“But, now that they’ve had this program, they can’t imagine working without it,” Gardner added. “So I’m very sold on it. I think it’s the direction we need to go.”
A community relations specialist already exists within the police department, but another (civilian) specialist is generally expected to offer support with community outreach, although the role is not yet “fully defined,” per a spokesman. The new Community Oversight Board, a civilian board overseeing police, will be funded with $125,000 but is financed by the General Fund and not the police department.
Overall budget discussions began Oct. 29. Five related meetings and work sessions have already taken place, with two more left until the Dec. 20 adoption.
For more information, or for the entire 248-page budget, go to statecollegepa.us/budget.
