Anne Arundel County Police Chief Thomas Shanahan urged County Council members in a budget hearing Wednesday to approve a “shift in personnel” at the county?s 911 center.
Shanahan wants to use budget funds to “enhance staffing supervision” at the center by adding four supervisory positions at the center to create a more “semi-miltary” culture.
County Executive Janet Owens presented a proposed $1.37 billion budget Monday for fiscal 2007, with $91 million earmarked for the police.
The 911 center came under intense scrutiny in recent years after police were sued by the family of a women who was murdered in 2001. The family claimed county dispatchers mishandled reports of the woman?s abduction when a witness dialed 911, but reportedly didn?t receive a prompt answer.
“We think we want to change the culture of the 911 center,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “We have been given a great deal of attention for every small blemish that?s occurred.”
Shanahan said he?s confident the personnel shift will make an impact.
“We can?t have any more attention brought to that center without a show that we have done everything possible with county resources.” Shanahan said.
Council members questioned whether bumping up the number of supervisors at the 911 center would actually make a difference.
Council Member Ronald Dill said perceived mistrust of the police may have less to do with the 911 center and more to do with officials in general.
The budget also calls for a 24-hour post and an eight-hour post in the southern distinct and an additional post in Brooklyn Park.
At the hearing Wednesday, Council Member Pamela Beidle said Arundel Mills mall needs increased police presence.
But Shanahan said the mall already has one post and an overlap post, plus about eight to 12 officers who work for stores in a secondary capacity.
“The responsibility falls more on the Arundel Mills mall than it does on the county,” Shanahan said.
