Ligonier Township supervisors have recommended a revised code of conduct for the Ligonier Valley Police Commission (LVPC), calling for mandatory annual drug testing of its members.
In a 4-1 vote, the Board agreed to push forward with the proposal, citing community concerns about transparency and ethics. Supervisor Stephanie Verna cast the dissenting vote.
The updated code, based on a 2021 governance policy, would require all police commissioners to act ethically, express opinions responsibly, and respect commission decisions.
Supervisor Dan Resenic proposed adding annual hair follicle drug tests, referencing past issues in the police department that he said had cast an unfair shadow over the force.
Resenic emphasized that this step could restore public confidence and show a strong stand against drug involvement.
However, the proposal raised legal questions. Solicitor Dan Hudock pointed out that mandating drug tests could face constitutional challenges, suggesting voluntary testing as a more feasible option.
Verna expressed concerns that the drug testing requirement could lead to further intrusion into personal matters, such as financial history.
“We’re peeling too much into people’s private lives,” she warned, calling the drug testing suggestion a “slippery slope.”
The proposed changes now head to the LVPC for review. If approved, both Ligonier Township and Ligonier Borough must vote to amend the police charter.
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