West Chester police form task force to better diversify department
In a bid to better diversify the police department, borough council at Wednesday’s virtual meeting, voted to fund a seven member Mayor Jordan Norley Diversity Task Force for $20,000.
The cash will likely pay for a professional diversity consultant, advertising and other expenses.
The Diversity Task Force was scheduled to hold its first meeting Thursday night.
Norley said at Tuesday’s work session that the police officers should have similar backgrounds as those served, while the task force will work to improve the hiring of minority police officers.
“It’s very important that the police force reflects the community,” Councilwoman Lisa Dorsey said.
Three hires, at the department with more than 40 officers, during the past three years, were women. The borough currently employs one minority officer.
West Chester Police struggle to diversify hiring, partially due to Civil Service Commission requirements.
The borough might need to better market itself in a bid to reach out to the right candidates.
Borough Manager Mike Perrone said recently that hiring a diversified force is a problem for police nationwide.
Police Chief James Morehead said at a recent meeting that during the last round of hirings, only eight of almost 90 candidates were minority members. The chief said the department has always sought to hire minorities in a bid to achieve greater outreach.
“Not only does the community demand it today, but our leaders demand it,” Morehead said. “Our community is improved, the more diverse we are.”
At Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman Bill Scott made a motion to fund the task force through a common account for boards and commissions, rather than directly. The motion failed for lack of a second.
“That was a pretty resounding ‘No’ on that motion,” said Council President Michael Galey.
The task force is not obligated to spend the entire $20,000.
“It doesn’t mean we’re going to use it all,” Councilman Bernie Flynn said. “If we don’t use it all, we can transfer it to another line item.”
Thursday’s first task force meeting was held in the shade. The public and press were not invited. Norley said that task force members would vote to decide whether to open the meetings to the public.
Perrone told council that since the meeting is controlled by the mayor, and not the borough, it is not governed by public meeting laws.