The Montgomery County Council has thwarted County Executive Ike Leggett’s plan to merge the county and park police forces, a decision Leggett says reveals the council’s lack of commitment to saving money. Leggett asked state lawmakers to withdraw legislation that would have given local officials the authority to consolidate the police units after a majority of council members came out against the move. It is the second straight year Leggett has failed to gain enough support for the reorganization.
“It’s an opportunity for savings that the council isn’t taking,” Leggett spokesman Patrick Lacefield said. “People talk about how we need to restructure, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, they resist change. I think they are just looking for a reason not to do it. They’re hearing from [park officials] that the world is going to come to an end if they do it. It’s a simple political calculation.”
