SAXONBURG — The idea of a regional police force in southeast Butler County has re-emerged.

Officials from six municipalities met Thursday at the borough building to discuss having the state conduct a feasibility study to determine costs and logistics for such a department.

Along with the borough, officials from Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson, Middlesex and Winfield townships expressed interest in the study.

Of those municipalities, Clinton and Jefferson townships do not have police departments.

Saxonburg Mayor Brian Antoszyk said regionalizing police services would benefit the southeast area of the county, which now has "spotty coverage."

The feasibility study would be paid by the state Department of Community & Economic Development.

Antoszyk said the municipalities have nothing to lose by participating in the feasibility study.

The cost of regionalization is a major factor covered by study.

Michael Foreman of the DCED cautioned municipalities already having police departments not to expect to save money by sharing police services.

"I don't expect it to show it will spend less," he said.

Foreman said the concept is to provide a higher level of service.

The idea of a regional police force for the area was last discussed in 2005.