A study done by Matrix Consulting Group concerning the Upper Macungie Police Department, was released to supervisors during their Aug. 1 meeting.

A comprehensive overview of the police department, the study showed a substantial decrease in the crime rate in the municipality – a 60 percent decrease from 2013 to 2017.

The report noted the police department has received the highest quality training – about 44 hours per year, which is well above the industry average of 25 hours.

Matrix’s report showed there were no externally issued complaints concerning the force up to 2017 and the department is fiscally conservative in its issuance of overtime.

The report did recommend that officers have body cameras issued to them and the office of deputy chief should be eliminated and the work of this office be transferred to the crime and community service lieutenants.

The department should continue its cost sharing and cost reduction strategies.

According to Police Chief Edgardo Colón, the department seeks grants when available to save money and is conservative when it comes to overtime.

Officers sign out Naloxone and take it on patrol with them.

“They are not stored in the cars because are sensitive to weather,” the chief said.

Colón said AEDS are in most patrol cars.

“I am requesting next year for them to be placed in all department vehicles, both crime and command,” he emailed The Press, adding the officers do not have body cameras at this time.

“The Matrix study recommended eliminating the deputy chief position, which is what the board wanted to do,” he emailed The Press. “I did not agree with this and consider the position critical to the operation of the department.

Colón also gave the police report during the board’s meeting.

He noted the K-9 officer and his partner were involved in one tracking, one narcotics, two stop assists and two public demonstration assignments.

The motor carrier program performed 61 inspections with 77 violations discovered and 17 citations issued.

Driving enforcement made two stops in July.

On July 17, the officers were at Grim Road and on July 24 they were at Schantz Road.

The high speed clocked was 59 mph at both sites.