What might a municipality do if it does not meet the population requirement for a police department?

If a municipality does not meet the population requirement to establish its own police department, creating a contract with another agency is a viable solution. This approach allows the municipality to provide law enforcement services without having to maintain its own full police force. By entering into a contractual agreement, the municipality can rely on an external law enforcement agency to provide services, which can be more cost-effective and practical, especially for smaller communities.

This arrangement often involves the contracted agency providing patrol services, responding to emergency calls, and handling criminal investigations as needed, ensuring that residents still receive necessary law enforcement support. Through this collaboration, the municipality can still ensure the safety and security of its citizens even if it does not have the population size required for an independent police department.

In contrast, forming a private security force, while an option, would not fulfill the public law enforcement duties typically expected of a police department. Reducing crime rates is a goal but doesn't address the structural issue of law enforcement availability. Implementing a neighborhood watch program can be beneficial for community safety but is not a replacement for the professional services provided by a police department or a contracted agency.