Oversight of the police department is assigned to the position of Mayor under the Pennsylvania Municipal Code. The DCED Mayor’s Manual states:
“The mayor is the only elected executive officer in borough government. In contrast to the council, the mayor acts alone in carrying out mayoral powers and duties, which are primarily in the areas of public safety. From a public policy perspective, these areas of government action are highly sensitive and confidential, lending themselves well to executive decision making by a single public official in contrast to a deliberative body.”
Some Gettysburg Borough Council members have wanted to control the police department for years. Based on discussions at budget meetings, some seem to think they know better how to control costs of schedules and overtime, and feel the council should be privy to work schedules beforehand, etc. They want to consolidate power under the borough manager. There appear to be two ways to accomplish this: 1. Change the Borough government system to “home rule”, and assign police oversight to the manager, requiring a referendum approved by Gettysburg residents, and 2. “With approval of council, the mayor may also delegate to the borough manager any of the mayor’s non-legislative and non-judicial powers and duties.”
During former Mayor Streeter’s term, no one really pushed the issue. Mayor Frealing has declined pressure from some on the council to delegate oversight of the police department to the borough manager. During her term, and Chief Glenny’s service, there have been no lawsuits filed against the police department. Mayor Frealing’s law degree and experience, coupled with Glenny’s knowledge of state and local laws, have been an asset.
The police department is a much more complex entity than the administrative arm of the borough government. There are civil service requirements, union contracts, and a 545-page policy manual. The officers take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and enforce the laws of this Commonwealth and the Ordinances of the Borough of Gettysburg. It’s not just the local council directives involved.
In December, 2023, Marty Qually commented to me that Mayor Frealing would be “primaried” because she would not relinquish oversight of the police department. It looks like he and others have a candidate who would do their bidding and give up an important part of the job to the borough manager.
Keep Mayor Frealing on the job – ALL of the job.
Susan Cipperly is a professional land use planner who has lived in Gettysburg for 25 years. She considers her involvement in local planning and zoning issues a way to contribute to the borough in general, and to maintain neighborhoods in particular.
Correction. In 2023 I said, “I have heard some concerns about the Mayor’s performance, her changed position on police oversight and I expect she will face a Primary”. I’ve been primaried multiple times, it comes with the job. As I’ve learned more about this situation, I am even more concerned about oversight being left to one person.” I have NEVER supported a candidate to “do my bidding” and personally take offense to that uninformed opinion. I support candidates that in my opinion will best serve their community. In this case, I believe Chad Alan is the better of the two.… Read more »
Do you really want to go there, Marty? I’m talking about an informal conversation prior to the DFA Christmas potluck, where you were musing about someday wanting to run for mayor when you were through being a commissioner. I said “Oh, so we could go back to having an old white guy”, and you said “That’s Gettysburg.” Another woman said “We did well this time, didn’t we?” That’s when you said Rita was going to be “primaried” because of her performance — she told you she would give up oversight of the police department and had not. At that point,… Read more »