Is the Wallace Twp Police Chief Ad a Violation of the PA Sunshine Law

July

In today’s Daily Local there is an article detailing the ongoing debate and what seems like the beginning of a Wallace Twp Police Force. The article starts out:

WALLACE — Township supervisors decided two weeks ago to have a public hearing regarding a police force ordinance.

Since then, an advertisement for a police chief posted on the township’s Web site has raised questions related to the state’s Sunshine Law.

The hearing scheduled for Thursday (July 31st) night is for residents and supervisors to address the possibility of creating an independent police force. The township currently receives services from the Brandywine Regional Police.

Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel with the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, said the police chief advertisement is contrary to the intent of the Sunshine Law. She said it’s premature to have an advertisement because no official action has been taken on the police department.

“It seems that they (elected officials) don’t care what voters have to say,” Melewsky said. “All residents and taxpayers have the right to make their voices heard before the decision is made.”

…

In March, Wallace officials notified neighboring East Brandywine of their intent to withdraw from the regional police agreement.

East Brandywine officials have accepted Wallace’s decision to withdraw. And East Brandywine Supervisor Jay Fischer said his township will create its own police force.

Read the full article here

Also, here is a link to some information about the PA Sunshine Law. Read more

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