Township officials recently renewed a contract for police services through the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, with no cuts in staffing levels.
According to Lt. Bruce Naile, commander of the Orion Township substation, the township currently contracts for 30 OCSO personnel’one lieutenant, two sergeants, two school officers, two detectives and 23 patrol deputies.
In a letter to Supervisor Matt Gibb, township attorney Dan Kelly said the agreement was consistent with prior contracts, with general terms regarding facilities and township services unchanged.
The only significant change, Kelly noted, was the deletion of indemnification and hold harmless language in two areas.
Previously, the county agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the township for damage to substation facilities and equipment, as well as from civil claims or lawsuits arising out of the performance of law enforcement services.
It was the county’s position, however, that a change was necessitated by Michigan law, which says a county cannot indemnify another municipality.
After reviewing the law, Kelly said he concurred with the county’s position, but pointed out the only viable claim against the township or its employees would be for matters outside law enforcement services, and therefore covered under the township’s liability coverage.