Winfield Township's municipal building. William Pitts/Butler Eagle

WINFIELD TWP — Representatives from the Saxonburg Police Department made a presentation to township officials on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, to promote the benefits of an agreement between the township and the police department.

“It was about the potential for the borough police to provide police coverage in Winfield Township,” said township Supervisor Matthew Klabnik. “This is the first conversation we’ve had about it.”

Speaking on behalf of the department were chief Joseph Beachem, Lt. Jeff Sneddon, and patrolman Christian Renaud. The three discussed how a possible agreement between the two townships would benefit them both.

Klabnik says it’s too soon for the township to make a decision on the matter just yet.

“From my point of view, it’s something we would need to budget for 2026,” Klabnik said.

Klabnik also floated the possibility of reaching out to Buffalo Township, which, like Saxonburg, has its own police department and shares a border with Winfield Township.

“I have spoken to Rich (Hill), the Buffalo manager, to see if they’re interested as well,” Klabnik said. “We should explore both options and see if they’re interested. Maybe Buffalo wants to provide a service to Winfield Township.”

Saxonburg has made similar overtures to Oakland, Clinton and Jefferson townships over the past year. While Clinton and Jefferson townships chose to decline offers of police coverage from Saxonburg, Summit Township still has an agreement with the department.

In October, Oakland Township agreed to a three-month trial partnership with the Saxonburg Police which expired on Feb. 6 and may be renewed at the township’s March board of supervisors meeting.

As of now, Winfield Township is covered by state police. However, similar offers of police coverage from Saxonburg to other townships over the past year stated that they would be supplementing state police coverage, not replacing it.