Politics & Government
Twin Cities Police Target Merger By End Of 2012
San Anselmo Police could fully merge with the TCPA by the end of the year, according to Larkspur Mayor Len Rifkind
If you happen to get pulled over on Magnolia Boulevard, don't be too surprised if the officer is wearing a San Anselmo Police uniform.
The Twin Cities and San Anselmo Police departments have been working together under a shared services agreement for more than a year, but the two agencies are now closer than ever to officially merging into one unit.
"We are coming close to being live as a fully-merged police authority by the first of the year. That's very exciting," said Larkspur Mayor Len Rifkind, a member of the Twin Cities Police Council.
Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Twin Cities Police Authority used San Anselmo's dispatch services while the new TCPA facility on Doherty Drive was being built. In a quid pro quo move, San Anselmo Police now share the dispatch and other services at the new facility.
"This has allowed for San Anselmo, Larkspur and Corte Madera to add additional officers to our patrol force at no additional cost to the towns/city. We've accomplished this by reducing the duplication in management, supervisory and line level positions, therefore saving money on total compensation and benefits," according a message from Twin Cities Police Chief Todd Cusimano. "It will continue to be the goal of the San Anselmo and Twin Cities Police Departments to be creative in our approach to improving services while remaining fiscally responsible."
Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The new agency could be called the Central Marin Police Authority, according to Rifkind. That would allow other agencies to join later on. Although there has been no official notice, there have been rumors that the Ross Police might be among those interested in a future merger.
The Corte Madera Town Council is slated to discuss the merger during Tuesday's meeting at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.
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