In an effort to enhance our capabilities to serve our Township, the police department has transitioned to a training centric and proactive policing agency. The increase in training has improved officer self-confidence while providing highly trained officers to better serve the community.
The department has acquired new technologies such as the latest Conducting Electrical Weapon, the TASER X2 -a smart version of aJJ conducting electrical weapon. These TASERS provide officers an additional tool to help deescalate volatile and/or violent subjects, ultimately reducing the risk of injury to officers and subjects. Additionally, the department has purchased and issued per capita, the latest pepper spray gel technology. This technology is a gel so that large areas and/or surrounding people are not affected when it is deployed. Furthermore, it is alcohol free to prevent any combustion. The department is in the initial process of going automated with onboard car computers that have capability of completing and electronically filing investigative reports, traffic crash reports and traffic citations. This direct filing system will reduce reporting errors and will be more efficient for all parties involved. It will allow the officers to spend less time on traffic stops and less time on-station, which will create more dedicated duty time to patrol and community service.
Since June 2018, the department placed a very high emphasis on prevention and readiness regarding active threats -active shooter type incidents. The department utilizes internal and external training sources for active shooter and school threats. Chippewa police personnel conducted both classroom and practical training sessions at various schools. Force on force training was conducted using actors and simunition weapons. Training sessions were also conducted jointly with surrounding police agencies and school administration and staff to augment readiness efforts.
The department joined with the PACIC (Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center) which is an extensive network used for intelligence gathering and processing. Officers now have access to the latest information on individuals and organizations. Daily briefings are sent out to keep officers aware of current threats, scams or wanted people.
Improved school security plans were developed and new preventative measures implemented including but not limited to; school exterior patrols and monitoring, interior foot patrols, officer-student lunch programs, bus incident and safety programs, and increased communications involving school administration – police – community. Department training standards now supersede minimum requirements set by the Municipal Police Officers Training and Education Commission. All officers now do more weapons training and tactical training with firearms and use of force.
Chippewa Police Department is evolving into a self-sufficient police agency. The department has certified instructors for MIST -mandatory inservice training, Use of Force, Firearms Instructors, Defensive Tactics, Conducting Electrical Weapon -TASER, and Active Shooter. This allows for a significant amount of training to be done in house, and at minimal cost. The department has detectives to handle serious criminal investigations and conduct follow up investigations. Due to an exceptionally high solvability of crimes, there are no current unsolved heinous crimes in Chippewa Township.
The department has initiated enforcement efforts through deploying a traffic enforcement car. Additional enforcement details are routinely done with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police using RADAR in locations where our speed timing devices are not effective. Joint enforcement efforts are also being done with the Pennsylvania State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement team regarding unsafe and/or over weight trucks. -“‘Alis efforts are improving highway safety as well as minimizing roadway damage from overweight trucks.
An overall significant increase in criminal and traffic arrests has occurred, creating the perception of an Omni presence of police in the township, which is the ultimate deterrent against criminal and traffic violators.
Since June 2018:
Active School Shooter -Active Threat Trainings
Tactical Firearms Training
Firearms Qualification
TASER Certification
Force on Force Simunition Training
Advanced Roadside Impairment and Drug Enforcement
Advanced Criminal Investigation Techniques
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security -Large Event Security
Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center
CPR/ First Aid / Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
SIMTAC Training (state of the art -shoot or don’t shoot simulation training)
Eric S. Hermick Assistant Chief of Police
Chippewa Township Police Department
2811 Darlington Road Beaver Falls, PA 15010
email: ehermick@chippewa-twp.org
Office: 724-843-8227
Fax: 724-843-4369
