Officials address residents’ questions regarding crime, training and ‘resign hopping’

By Kirk Bradford | [email protected]

Millcreek held their city’s second Policing Town Hall virtually and it took place under the direction of a panel of members. Millcreek residents raised many questions since the unrest that took place last summer after the death of George Floyd resulting in the formation of the panel that includes Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and Millcreek City Councilmembers together with leadership from the Unified Police Department, including Sheriff Rosie Rivera, Chief of Police Jason Mazaran, Undersheriff Jake Peterson, Millcreek Precinct Chief Steve DeBry, and Millcreek Lieutenant Chris Petty-Brown.

Questions from residents covered topics ranging from what constitutes a crime, nonviolent crime importance, identifying resisting arrest and police brutality. 

Some of the tougher questions raised by residents involved two issues: What are current hiring standards and plans in addressing problem officers before they can engage in what Silvestrini called “resign hopping.” The procedure involves an officer willingly making a transfer to another precinct in the hopes of avoiding disciplinary issues currently pending at their current department. 

Millcreek Councilwoman Bev Uipi addressed officer standards referring to a statement made by Brown at part one of Millcreek’s policing open house.  

Silvestrini asked to elaborate further on the question saying, “One or part of this question was addressing the resign hopping or situation where an officer is facing discipline and seeks employment at the UPD. UPD does interview and check the records available about any discipline history. If there is an issue, they would check that out. The problem with this is that an officer could come from out of state. There are times where an officer may have something pending that does not reach finality or a conclusion beyond the officer leaving. There are a number of bills in the session that are going to attempt to address just this.” 

To learn more or to view to the complete recorded video of the policing open house, click here.