HERRIMAN, Utah, May 17, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Herriman’s City Council has voted unanimously to cut ties with the Unified Police Department, saying the city plans to form its own police force.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said the UPD was blindsided by the decision, having heard last Friday that Herriman was considering the move.
City Council members say that on multiple occasions, they have brought up their concerns about costs and money wasted.
One city employee said at the council meeting that the city pays nearly $5 million a year to the UPD, but only gets about $4.5 million worth of service. That gap is expected to be larger next year, the employee said.
Herriman officials say they pay for the salaries of 18 officers, but only 13 are provided.
Rivera said that’s because of a shortage of police, a statewide issue. Herriman is not being singled out, she said.
City officials said they plan to split with UPD as early as July 1.
