Mar 21, 2016 By Christopher Buckley cbuckley@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

The Charleroi Regional Police Department may be preparing to cross the river to welcome its first Westmoreland County-based member.

The regional force was formed in April 2012 by Charleroi, North Charleroi and Speers, and is overseen by a board comprised of members from those communities. The force also provides patrols in neighboring Twilight.

Board member Bill Lee acknowledged he along with board members Curt Rice and Larry Celaschi Jr. have met with North Belle Vernon officials to discuss the possibility of that community joining the department. Two sessions, one each in February and earlier this month, have been held so far and another is slated for March 24.

Only three members of the regional board have attended to avoid any conflict with the Sunshine Act, Lee explained.

If it comes into the fold, North Belle Vernon is considering suspending rather than dissolving its police force. Under that option, North Belle Vernon would join on a one-year trial basis and would not have representation on the board during that time.

Lee said North Belle Vernon is looking to reduce its costs. He acknowledged that council appears split on the option.

“The reason we’ve met is we wanted to try to attract other communities so we can flatten our costs,” Lee said. “They could have gone to Rostraver or some other neighboring department, but they came to us. That’s a compliment to our department.”

Solicitor Chris Cardinale said Bill Gamble, a police peer consultant with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, told her the North Belle Vernon officers might have to join the regional force as part-time officers.

But the regional force would likely hire three full-time officers, including promoting one of their own part-timers to cover the new territory.

“They’d be getting a raise when hired here even if entry level,” Lee said.

He noted though that North Belle Vernon Chief Eugene Lipari has 18 years and could be compensated based on his experience.

But Lee said they would received a pay hike under the terms of the contract.

Chief Eric Porter said questions concerning police evidence would also have to be resolved.

Cardinale said it is important to consider morale, noting that the officers are hard working and should not feel they are being too taxed with the addition of another community to the regional.

“We have to crunch the numbers and see if it makes sense for them,” Lee said.

“It’s up in the air until we can put some numbers together. We need to put those numbers together before we meet with them again.”