EL PASO, TX - The city's looking to save money by making El Paso police train with the Sheriff's Department, but would the two ever combine forces all together, and is that why the Police Chief seems to be against the idea? We asked Deputy City Manager William Studer.
City leaders are pushing for El Paso police officers and Sheriff's Deputies to train together, but could that someday lead to a combined law enforcement department?
"I can't predict what the future is but we've clearly been talking about it in this community for a number of years, and I think we'll probably continue to talk about it," Deputy City Manager William Studer said.
Studer said it's talked about because it could save money.
"It would clearly save money. A bulk of your dollars are spent putting bodies out on the streets in cars and answering calls for service. That number, those numbers, of people aren't likely to be reduced."
The jobs that would be reduced are the high up positions and that may have some people worried and, perhaps, speaking out on the change. This week El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen, in what may have been a moment of resistance, suggested deputies aren't as well trained as El Paso police officers. Sheriff Richard Wiles called that claim irresponsible. So why the apparent resistance from Chief Allen?
"I think you'd have to ask him if he has resistance. I don't know that he does except I think there's always cautions when you turn over part of the functions you've done for your own self for a number of years to someone else," Studer said.
Studer said either way the city is committed to saving money.
We tried getting an interview with the Sheriff and the Police Chief, but we were told the Sheriff was out of town, and the Police Chief was out for the day.
The idea to combine forces isn't new, and the idea of the two departments training together was tried out in 2004.
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