Derry police get new contract, eye updated radios, 'less-than-lethal' weapons

Derry police are working under a new three-year contract as they look to bolster their enforcement abilities with new communications equipment and weapons designed to cause less harm in confrontations with suspects.

Borough council on Tuesday approved the new pact that covers five police officers and runs through the end of 2026. The officers had been working under the terms of a previous agreement that expired in July.

“We’re happy with the contract,” said Sgt. Doug Sam, who is serving as the police department’s acting chief.

“We weren’t really hung up on anything in particular,” Sam said of the contract negotiations. He said there were some delays because of scheduling conflicts for attorneys involved in the process.

Officers will receive an hourly raise of 25 cents in each year of the contract, Sam said.

As an added incentive for retaining officers, he said, part-timers now will be paid at a time-and-a-half rate when they work on a holiday. They’ll also be eligible for paid time off, he said.

Mayor Grant Nicely said Tuesday that Derry police Chief Randy Glick, who is covered by a separate contract, remained on an extended medical leave.

Council recently authorized Derry police to purchase new radios, at a cost of up to $10,000, as well as Taser devices and other less-than-lethal equipment, at a cost of $8,000 — pending approval of funding to cover the costs.

The department hopes to get four portable radios and three Taser devices as well as equipment and ammunition needed to convert the force’s shotguns for firing rubber bullets, according to Sam.

The borough is applying to have the items covered with funding available through the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.

“These are things that have been long overdue,” Nicely said of the new police equipment. “It should help a lot to improve the efficiency of the department.”

He expressed hope the items will be on hand and ready for use within the next two months.

The new radios will replace models that are at least a decade old, according to council President Al Checca.

Derry recently paid just under $1,000 for used police cameras, including two dash cameras that have been installed in borough police vehicles. That purchase also included 10 body cameras that will be a new tool for officers.

“Council approved building a server so the officers can download their data,” Checca said. He said a council member with experience in information technology is assisting in that effort.

Sam said borough officials have to draft a policy governing use of the cameras and officers have to undergo training before the devices can be placed into service.

“The policy will be done, hopefully, within the next month or two,” he said.