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New police chief bringing department up to date
(by Sean Lehosit, Staff Writer - September 09, 2010)
Franklin Township Police Chief Jim Timko, after serving his first month on the job, addressed both residents and trustees at the Sept. 2 township meeting.
Timko discussed upcoming projects within the department, which he hopes will increase officer safety and their ability to serve the township.
One such project is converting the officers four current vehicle’s computer systems to a program called LEED. This would allow township officers to work on the same system as the Columbus Division of Police and the Highway Patrol.
“We’ve been working on a computer program now,” Timko said, “…but it does not give the officers access to criminal history. So, part of that program was updating the software on the computers and that’s being done now – we’ve purchased it.”
The department has paid a total of $800 so that every officer can partake in two training classes with the sheriff’s office. These classes will train officers in the operation of the system as well as qualify them to be licensed by the State of Ohio to use the database.
“The first classes were to just train them to be allowed to use the computer,” Timko said, “the second class is instructing them how to use the computer, and how to use the system.”
The police department will also be evaluating whether or not they need to invest in additional police cars, and if so what type of cars they require. Presently, all four of their vehicles have around 70,000 miles on them and according to Timko, are running around the clock.
Timko added repairs are getting expensive and they must find a way to take some pressure off the current four cars for next year.
“We need to look into getting some additional vehicles into the fleet,” Timko said.
“The vehicles were something the previous chief was going to do, but as his time neared retirement and he hadn’t gotten there he decided not to and let the new chief find what he wanted,” Trustee Timothy Guyton said, “He’s not spending money wily-lily, I can assure you that.”
Timko assured residents they are looking for the best deal possible, including taking a look at obtaining funds from the Federal Purchasing Program.
“Hopefully over a future meeting we’ll be talking about new police cars,” Timko said.
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