West Windsor Township and the Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) continue to haggle over the costs of classes taken by officers in 2011. The issue first came up during budget discussions in March as Councilman Bryan Maher and Council Vice President Linda Geevers expressed outrage over $23,000 in helicopter lessons that the township was required to pay (WW-P News, March 30). Of that amount, $15,000 was allocated last year. The township maintains its position against paying the additional $8,000 that is due because, it argues, helicopter lessons are not relevant to police duties (West Windsor does not have or intend to have helicopters for police).
Attorney Michael Herbert and Business Administrator Robert Hary both warned Council that the fight could be lost in arbitration. Police Chief Joe Pica says the issue is under review and will either be settled through arbitration or litigation.
Since March the PBA contract has been amended to reimburse officers only for courses related to their profession, such as classes leading to a degree in police science, police administration, public safety, or criminal justice. That rule will apply to all courses going forward and is not being put in effect retroactively. But the old contract stated that any course taken at an accredited institution that could be used as credit towards associates, bachelors or masters degree programs “should be automatically approved for 100 percent reimbursement” by the township.
Maher and Geevers pointed out an example where a West Windsor officer took classes in “China in the 21st Century” at UPenn. Course fees came to a total of $12,000. Maher has argued that this is yet one more example of inflated costs approved by West Windsor’s government, for which he says taxpayers bear heavy burdens each year.
