COPLEY TWP.: Basic police and accident incident reports could be online by March.

Police Chief Michael Mier characterized the move as one that would save residents time and the township money.

Residents will be able to access reports directly from the township website instead of having to travel to the department. Posting reports might take one or two days, but after that would be available for review any time by residents and the media, Mier said.

Township trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a request “to launch the Police Department Accident and Incident Reports online.”

Mier said the reports are expected to be available online at “the beginning of March.” The reports will be basic public records. Other materials, such as investigators’ notes, will remain confidential, he said.

The department request put the cost at $600 a year.

In other police business, the department’s three sergeants have agreed to a new three-year contract. The contract expires in 2014, and like those with patrol officers and firefighters, contains no raises, township Trustee Helen Humphrys said.

On another contract note, trustees scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Thursday with Teamsters Local 348, which represents seven Service Department employees over a union payroll grievance, Humphrys said.