Harrisburg Bureau of Police
Harrisburg Bureau of Police | |
---|---|
Police Commissioner | |
Facilities | |
Substations | Allison Hill Police Substation |
Website | |
http://harrisburgpa.gov/bureau-of-police/ |
Harrisburg Bureau of Police is a medium-sized
History
Records show that the first police force was loosely assembled in Harrisburg city in 1861, with an unknown number of non-uniformed "Constables" making their money from fees of those arrested. Under former Mayor John Augustus Fritchey, the Police Department was formally reorganized in 1888 with official uniforms and 26 men placed on salary. That year, police call boxes were installed (and later booths). Alvin W. Weikert was appointed Chief of Police by the Mayor in 1889; the Chief worked dayshift while the Lieutenant assumed acting control for nights. The first police station was held inside the former Masonic Hall (more commonly referred to at the time as the Exchange Building) on Walnut St & 3rd St, but moved locations many times in the next decades, finally relocating to the first floor and basement of the Old City Hall building at 423 Walnut Street after its conversion from the Technical High School in 1929.[6] Following the completion and opening of the Vance C. McCormick Public Service Center on June 17, 1982, the Bureau of Police relocated to its current day headquarters.
Since the 1970s through today, the Bureau sometimes participates with local Universities to allow researchers to conduct research and publish articles regarding their policing methodologies.[7][8][9][10]
In the mid 2000s, a substation opened at 15th & Drummond Streets in the
In 2021, the Bureau's officers were overwhelmingly white despite patrolling a majority minority city, and in an ongoing problem it struggled to recruit minority officers in what was called a "perception problem" with the occupation.[12][13][14]
Vehicles
In the past, HBP operated an all
Agency structure and Divisions
Agency structure
The Bureau is organized under the Harrisburg Department of Public Safety, along with the Bureau of Fire, Bureau of Codes, Office of Health, and Office of Parking Enforcement. The current Police Commissioner is Thomas Carter.[16] The current Deputy Chief of Police is Kenny Young. Historically, 3 Captains lead the Uniformed Patrol, Technical Services, and Criminal Investigation Divisions. In 2020, the force was reorganized to include a Community Services Division to house the community needs more cohesively outside of the Uniformed Patrol Division.[17]
Divisions
- Uniformed Patrol Division
- Technical Services Division
- Community Services Division
- Criminal Investigation Division
Rank structure
Insignia | Rank title | Information |
---|---|---|
Commissioner/Chief | The head of HBP, appointed by the mayor. | |
Deputy Chief of Police | The second-in-command of HBP. | |
Captain | Leads a Division. | |
Lieutenant | Second-in-Command of a Division, leader of some Units. | |
Sergeant | Supervisor, leader of some units and squads. | |
Corporal | A senior officer. | |
Detective | An officer assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. | |
Police Officer |
Fallen officers
As of May 2024, seven Harrisburg Bureau of Police officers lost their lives on duty:
Rank | Name | End of Watch | Cause of death | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Patrol Officer | Charles Humphrey | 5 September 1907 | Killed in cow stampede | [18] |
Patrol Officer | Lewis C. Hipple | 23 June 1916 | Shot and killed while attempting to detain two men | [19] |
Patrol Officer | Melvin W. Kepford | 30 October 1918 | Struck and killed by vehicle while directing traffic | [20] |
Patrol Officer | Cloyd L. Hearn | 13 November 1934 | Struck and killed by vehicle while on foot patrol | [21] |
Patrol Officer | Barry P. Karper | 20 July 1963 | Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle | [22] |
Patrol Officer | Joseph J. O'Shura | 20 July 1963 | Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle | [23] |
Detective Corporal | John Robert Christian Jr. | 18 April 1978 | Shot and killed by robbery suspect | [24] |
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Capitol Police
- Harrisburg Bureau of Fire
References
- ^ "2021 Approved Budget" (PDF). City of Harrisburg. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "2021 Approved Budget" (PDF). City of Harrisburg. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "State and county quick facts".
- ^ "Pennsylvania". FBI. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "NEWS POST: Harrisburg Bureau of Police Receives Re-Accreditation". CRIMEWATCH. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ "History of Harrisburg police". Harrisburg Telegraph. 1938-03-26. p. 23. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- )
- )
- S2CID 62612126.
- S2CID 145415884.
- ^ Cheung, Karina (2020-07-23). "Allison Hill Police Substation open to the public, months after construction completed". WHP. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
- ^ Finney, Andrea. "Inside the Harrisburg Police Dept.'s drive to recruit minorities". WHP. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "Harrisburg Police focusing on more diversity in the department". ABC27. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ Johnson, Porcha (2015-01-06). "Harrisburg police chief to recruit minority applicants". WGAL. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "Harrisburg officers get first look at new fleet of police cars". WGAL. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ "Bureau of Police". City of Harrisburg. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ a b "City of Harrisburg 2021 Budget Presentation Q&A Response" (PDF). City of Harrisburg Website. 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Charles Humphrey". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Lewis C. Hipple". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Melvin W. Kepford". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Cloyd L. Hearn". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Barry Penrose Karper". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Patrol Officer Joseph John O'Shura". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
- ^ "Detective Corporal John Robert Christian, Jr". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.