CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Mayor Patty Gilliland responded Wednesday night to a recent Clearfield Borough Council decision to secure the Clearfield Borough Police Department.
Gilliland has stated in the past that she believes the measures limit her ability as mayor to perform her duties in relation to the police department. The borough enacted the new policy in March. According to the policy no person outside the working staff of the Clearfield Borough Police Department will be allowed to enter the department’s secured areas without a police escort. At no time shall any person outside the sworn officers of this department and the clerical staff be permitted within the secured sections of the building unless they have an escort of uniformed personnel, clerical staff or the chief of police.
The mayor stated in her report that under the borough code, the mayor shall have full charge and control of the chief of police and the police force. Gilliland stated that the mayor is the head of the police department and should be recognized as that by the borough employees. She asked that council convey that to the chief and that the chief contact the mayor with concerns.
Gilliland also asked that council revoke the motion made on March 13 for the solicitor, police chief and mayor to prepare a policy for council’s review in which the police station is to be secured. Gilliland stated that the directive was not drawn up with input from the mayor.
After the meeting Clearfield Borough Solicitor F. Cortez “Chip” Bell III stated that the mayor had time to question or comment on the policy on the evening of March 20, before it was enacted.
Bell said at a prior meeting that the new measures would not impede Gillilands duties, that she would still have access to her office without escort. Like everyone else, however, she would need a police officer present to enter the station’s secured areas.
Gilliland said that the mayor should have total access to the police department. She presented a like-case from Delaware County. Bell also commented on the 1987 case. Bell said that he stands behind Clearfield Borough Council’s security policy.
Reported Gilliland, “Council is permitting this direct disrespect to the elected office of the mayor and is a direct insult to the office and the taxpayers of this community. Again, I am asking council to revoke this motion and rescind the directive immediately. This will prevent further expense to the borough.”
