TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP
POLICE DEPARTMENT
2012 ANNUAL REPORT
TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
1090 Troxel Road, PO Box 303
Kulpsville, PA 19443
215-368-7606
2012 ANNUAL REPORT
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE
PAGE 2
MISSION AND VALUES
PAGE 3
ORGANIZATION CHART
PAGE 4
ORGANIZATION & ASSIGNMENTS
PAGE 5
DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY AND STATISTICS
PAGE 11
CALLS FOR SERVICE
REPORTED CRIME
CRIME CLEARANCE
ARRESTS
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
PAGE 12
PAGE 13
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
PAGE 19
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY & ASSESMENT
PAGE 22
AWARDS, COMMENDATIONS, AND
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
PAGE 25
SPECIAL EVENTS & DETAILS
PAGE 27
TRAINING
PAGE 28
1
Message from the Chief of Police
On behalf of the men and women of the Towamencin Township Police
Department I respectfully submit to you the 2012 Towamencin Township Police
Department Annual Report. While this report seeks to summarize the police
department achievements and activities during calendar year 2012, I also hope it
is successful in illustrating to you and the community the high level of dedication
and hard work displayed by the men and women of the police department
Despite losing approximately 17 percent of our available workforce since
2010, the police department was awarded Pennsylvania Law Enforcement
Accreditation status and community programs and partnerships were expanded.
Fiscal and staffing challenges originating from the weakened economic
situation continued to negatively affect our available resources during 2012.
Nonetheless, the members of the police department continued to serve
admirably and professionally. Another year was completed with stable crime
rates, high levels of community satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Paul T. (Tim) Dickinson, Chief of Police
2
MISSION
The mission of the Towamencin Township Police Department is to
enhance the quality of life through the protection of life and property,
resolution of conflicts, and by providing a feeling of safety and
security within the community.
Through a partnership with the community the police department
endeavors to reduce the opportunity for crime, preserve the peace,
and promote a safe environment through prevention strategies,
problem solving, and the identification, apprehension and prosecution
of offenders.
VALUES
As members of the Towamencin Township Police Department we
pledge to:
 Do our best to protect the lives and property of our citizens and
impartially enforce the law.
 Display pride in the performance of our duty and in our service
to the public.
 Maintain integrity in our duties and with the people we protect
and serve.
 Have the courage to act in an unbiased, unprejudiced, fair, and
equal manner to all…even in the face of adversity.
3
TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION CHART 2012
CHIEF
OF
POLICE
ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES
LIEUTENANT
OPERATIONS COMMANDER
SERGEANT
PATROL
SQUAD #1
SERGEANT
PATROL
SQUAD #2
SERGEANT
PATROL
SQUAD #3
SERGEANT
PATROL
SQUAD #4
SERGEANT
C.I. / SPECIAL
SERVICES
CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION
UNIT
PATROL
SQUAD
#1
PATROL
SQUAD
#2
PATROL
SQUAD
#3
PATROL
SQUAD
#4
TRAFFIC
UNIT
DRUG TASK
FORCE
TECHNICAL
SERVICES UNIT
The police department is organized into two major sections, Operations
and Administration. Operations directly provide police services to the community.
There are a number of specialty units and assignments within the police
department. The assignment of personnel to a unit may be a primary or a
secondary responsibility based upon the frequency of need.
4
ADMINISTRATION
Paul T. (Tim) Dickinson, Chief of Police
Sandra Hanshew, Administrative Assistant
Administrative and support tasks are vital to the operations of the police
department. Records management, data entry, general clerical support,
purchasing, facilities management, recruiting and hiring personnel, department
statistics, and the completion and submission of numerous reports to federal,
state, county, and local authorities are the responsibility of Administrative
Services.
OPERATIONS
Lieutenant Jeffrey Kratz,
Operations Commander
der
PATROL SERVICES
Uniform patrol personnel are the most visible members of the police
department and devote most of their time to providing primary police service to
the community. Patrol Services include the initial response to crimes and
incidents, preliminary investigations, the apprehension and arrest of offenders,
traffic accident investigation, traffic enforcement, and the identification of
hazardous conditions within the township.
PATROL SERVICES
PATROL SUPERVISORS
Sergeant John Cutrone
Sergeant Daniel Jusko
Sergeant Geoffrey Wainwright
Sergeant Paul Wiechec
PATROL OFFICER S
Officer Raymond Alexander
Officer Jennifer Frey
Officer James Gibbas
Officer James Hanrahan
Officer Patrick Horne
Officer Edmund Howarth
Officer Brian Leedom
Officer Matthew Mahaffey
Officer Kenneth Meyer
Officer Steven Miller
Officer Jamie Popovice
Officer Michael Seider
5
Traffic Safety Unit
Traffic Safety Officers are primarily responsible for specialized traffic
enforcement, traffic related education programs, traffic studies and surveys,
special enforcement details, accident investigation, school zone safety, and
motor carrier/commercial vehicle enforcement.
Traffic Safety Unit
Sergeant Paul Wiechec, Unit Supervisor
Officer Gregory Wert, Traffic Safety Officer
Officer Travis Wood, Traffic Safety Officer
Crossing Guard Deborah Korner
6
North Penn Area Tactical Response Team
The Towamencin Township Police Department is one of eleven area
police agencies participating in the North Penn Area Tactical Response Team.
The tactical response team responds to many types of high-risk situations that
require a specialized response.
Team members receive training focusing upon physical fitness, special
weapons and proficiency, entry and arrest techniques, crisis negotiations, and
other specialties. Tactical medical personnel also participate on the team. Four
Towamencin Township Police Officers were assigned to the team in 2011.
North Penn Area Tactical
Response Team
Sergeant Geoffrey Wainwright,
Assistant Team Leader
Officer James Hanrahan, Negotiator
Officer Jamie Popovice, Negotiator
Officer Gregory Wert, Sniper
The North Penn Tactical Response Team member police
departments include:
Franconia Township
Lansdale Borough
Marlborough Township
Souderton Borough
Towamencin Township
Upper Perk Police District
7
Hatfield Township
Lower Salford Township
North Wales Borough
Telford Borough
Upper Gwynedd Township
Montgomery County Major Incident Response Team
The Montgomery County Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) is
comprised of specially trained police officers from throughout the county to
respond to major incidents such as civil disturbances, natural disasters, and large
events requiring a major amount of police resources. Members of MIRT are
trained in special crowd control techniques, as well as techniques needed to
operate in hazardous environments.
The Towamencin Township Police Department had four police officers
trained and assigned to MIRT in 2012, two of which are assigned to the Bicycle
response Team (BRT).The majority of MIRT training, equipment and
deployments are funded by the Department of Homeland Security.
Montgomery County
Major Incident Response Team
Sergeant Daniel Jusko, Team Leader
Sergeant Paul Wiechec, MIRT Officer
Officer Edmund Howarth, MIRT Officer (BRT)
Officer Michael Seider, MIRT Officer (BRT)
8
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION & SPECIAL SERVICES
Criminal Investigation Unit
The Criminal Investigation Unit is responsible for major criminal
investigations, crime scene processing, criminal intelligence, applicant
background investigations, administrative/internal investigations, and the
investigation of juvenile crime.
Criminal Investigation Unit
Sergeant Gary Wacker, Unit Supervisor
Detective Michael Paul
Detective Jack Wittenberger
Montgomery County Drug Task Force
The Towamencin Township Police Department actively participates in the
Montgomery County Drug Task Force, sponsored and funded by the
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Ten specially trained Towamencin
Police Officers are sworn as Special County Detectives allowing them to conduct
drug investigations across individual municipal boundary lines to maximize
resources and to decrease the availability of drugs in the community.
Individual police officer identities are not released to the public due to the
nature of the work conducted. Towamencin Township Drug Task Force
Operations are supervised by Sergeant Gary Wacker and coordinated by the
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team.
9
Technical Services Unit
The Technical Services Unit operates the North Penn Area Regional
Processing Center housed at the Towamencin Township Police Headquarters.
Fourteen police agencies use the center to electronically fingerprint (live scan),
digitally photograph (CPIN), and conduct video court appearances as part of the
Montgomery County Centralized Booking Center Network.
In a partnership with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, the
police department hosts a “Fast Track” DUI Center staffed by deputy sheriffs on
Friday and Saturday nights. Specially trained Deputy Sheriffs process and
administer breath testing and book all prisoners brought into the North Penn Area
Regional Processing Center during “Fast Track” operations.
Technical Services Unit
Sergeant Gary Wacker, Unit Supervisor
Cynthia J. Yoder, Police Specialist
Kelly Palermo, Booking Technician/Clerk
Peter Harubin, Booking Technician/Clerk
Matthew Shade, Booking Technician/Clerk
Rebecca Anhorn, Booking Technician/Clerk
North Penn Regional Processing
Center Member Agencies
Franconia Township
Hatfield Township
Lansdale Borough
Lower Frederick Township
Lower Salford Township
Marlborough Township
North Wales Borough
Pennsylvania State Police
Souderton Borough
Telford Borough
Towamencin Township
Upper Gwynedd Township
Upper Perk Police District Whitpain Township
The Technical Services Unit is also responsible for forensic evidence
processing, evidence management, and warrant management. Specially trained
civilian personnel carry out these functions working side by side with police
officers, thus freeing up more time for sworn officers to conduct investigations
and law enforcement activities.
10
DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY AND STATISTICS 2012
REPORTED INCIDENTS
7,243
CALLS AT NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL
166
CALLS AT NORTH MONTCO TCC
49
NON-CRIMINAL INCIDENTS
6,100
CRIMINAL INCIDENTS
660
CRIMINAL ARRESTS – ADULTS
345
CRIMINAL ARRESTS – JUVENILES
86
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
483
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
2,992
TRAFFIC CITATIONS
1,253
DIRECTED PATROL ACTIVITIES
3,440
SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
2,010
PARK & WALKS
1,055
TOTAL POLICE INCIDENTS & ACTIVITY
16,740
REPORTED INCIDENTS BY TYPE 2012
9% 6%
Non-crime
Crimes
Traffic Accidents
85%
11
REPORTED INCIDENTS BY MONTH 2012
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
0
200
400
600
800
REPORTED INCIDENTS BY DAY OF WEEK 2012
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
AY
ID
AY
RD
TU
SA
FR
AY
SD
Y
DA
ES
N
ED
UR
TH
W
Y
DA
ES
Y
DA
ON
TU
M
AY
ND
SU
12
REPORTED INCIDENTS BY HOUR 2012
2200-2259
2000-2059
1800-1859
1600-1659
1400-1459
1200-1259
1000-1059
0800-0859
0600-0659
0400-0459
0200-0259
0000-0059
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
REPORTED CRIMES 2012
The Towamencin Township Police Department participates in the Uniform
Crime Reporting System (UCR). The UCR maintains statistics on criminal acts,
crime clearance rates, and criminal arrests reported by police agencies
nationwide. Crime data is submitted by Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies
to the Pennsylvania State Police, whom in turn submit statewide statistics to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation for the Annual Crime in America Report.
Crimes are categorized as Part 1 Crimes, the most serious types of
offenses, and Part 2 Crimes. There were a total of 660 crimes reported in
Towamencin Township in 2012. 186 were classified as Part 1 Crimes and 474
were classified as Part 2 Crimes. There was a 4.76% decrease in overall
reported crime from the previous year.
13
REPORTED CRIMES 2007-2012
PA UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS
Note: 2012 Figures are based upon PA State Police
Uniform Crime Report statistics as of February 2012
REPORTED CRIME BY MONTH 2012
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
0
20
40
60
14
80
100
REPORTED CRIME BY DAY OF WEEK 2012
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
SU
ND
AY
MO
ND
AY
TU
ESD
AY
WE
TH
FR
IDA
UR
DN
SD
Y
ESD
A
Y
AY
SA
TU
RD
AY
REPORTED CRIME BY HOUR 2012
60
50
40
30
20
10
2200-2259
2000-2059
1800-1859
1600-1659
1400-1459
15
1200-1259
1000-1059
0800-0859
0600-0659
0400-0459
0200-0259
0000-0059
0
CRIME BY TYPE 2012
28%
Part 1
Part 2
72%
REPORTED PART 1 CRIME 2012
Rape by Force
Robbery
Aggravated Assault with Dangerous Weapon
Assault – No Weapon
Burglary
Theft
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
1
5
13
16
143
5
Total Part 1 Crimes
186
REPORTED PART 2 CRIME 2012
Assaults – Not Aggravated
Forgery & Counterfeiting
Fraud
Receiving Stolen Property
Vandalism
Weapons Possession
Sex Offenses (Except Rape)
Drug Sales
Drug Possession
Offenses Against the Family & Children
Driving Under the Influence
Liquor Law
Public Drunkenness
Disorderly Conduct
All Other Offenses (Except Traffic)
20
1
42
1
61
9
6
8
107
2
95
9
21
43
49
Total Part 2 Crimes
474
16
CRIME CLEARANCE 2012
Crimes are cleared when either an arrest is made or when an offender can
be identified but a prosecution cannot proceed. Of the 660 crimes reported to the
Towamencin Township Police Department in 2012 a total of 423 crimes were
solved, thus equaling a 64% crime clearance rate. The overall Montgomery
County crime clearance rate in 2012 was 55%. Therefore, in comparison to
overall Montgomery County figures, the Towamencin Township Police
Department continues to have a higher rate of crime clearance.
PART 1 CRIME CLEARANCE RATES 2007-2012
PA UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS
2012
2011
2010
TOWAMENCIN
TOWNSHIP
2009
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY
2008
2007
0.0%
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
PART 2 CRIME CLEARANCE RATES 2007-2012
PA UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS
2012
2011
2010
TOWAMENCIN
TOWNSHIP
2009
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY
2008
2007
0.0%
50.0%
100.0%
Note: 2012 Figures are based upon PA State Police
Uniform Crime Report statistics as of February 2013
17
CRIMINAL ARRESTS 2007-2012
473
442
372
369
345
343
Adult Arrests
188
177
Juv Arrrests
169
117
86
20
12
20
11
20
10
20
09
20
08
79
20
07
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
TRAFFIC ARRESTS 2007-2012
2012
95
2011
79
2010
100
2009
101
2008
123
2007
88
0
1253
1316
1501
Citations
DUI Arrest
2080
2032
1622
1000
2000
18
3000
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS 2007-2012
YEAR
TOTAL
ACCIDENTS
INJURY
ACCIDENTS
FATAL
ACCIDENTS
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
483
503
468
537
523
527
73
88
94
108
100
89
0
2
0
0
1
1
600
500
527
523
537
503
468
483
400
Total
Injury Accidents
Fatal Accidents
300
200
100
0
89
100
108
1
1
2007
2008
94
88
73
0
0
2
0
2009
2010
2011
2012
19
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY MONTH 2012
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY DAY OF WEEK 2012
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
SU
ND
AY
MO
ND
AY
TU
ESD
AY
WE
DN
ESD
AY
20
TH
UR
SD
AY
FR
IDA
Y
SA
TU
RD
AY
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY HOUR 2012
33.1%
Non-reportable
Reportable
66.9%
0.0%
15.1%
Fatality
Injury
Property
84.9%
21
2200-2259
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY TYPE 2012
2000-2059
1800-1859
1600-1659
1400-1459
1200-1259
1000-1059
0800-0859
0600-0659
0400-0459
0200-0259
0000-0059
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY & ASSESSMENT
PA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION
On July 11, 2012 the Towamencin Township Police Department received
Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation status. The Pennsylvania Law
Enforcement Accreditation Commission unanimously voted to accredit the
department at its meeting during the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Conference in
Camp Hill, PA. Currently, only 83 agencies out of the over 1200 law enforcement
agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are accredited.
To achieve and maintain accredited status the police department must
meet and prove compliance to all the applicable standards set by the
Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The standards are
recognized as the best practices in Pennsylvania Law Enforcement. By meeting
these standards our organization not only insures that our employees act
professionally, but the accreditation process also provides a method for continual
self-assessment of our performance as a law enforcement agency.
Chief Dickinson, Lieutenant Kratz, Police Specialist Yoder & Officer Meyer
22
CITIZEN SURVEY PROGRAM
We value the support of the public we serve and recognize the important role we play in
the lives of our citizens and the quality of life in the community we serve. In an effort to
better serve the community, we routinely evaluate our response to requests for assistance
and police service, as well as our ability to resolve problems. A letter and a stamped and
self-addressed post card are randomly mailed to persons listed as requesting police
service in every twentieth police incident report.
The questions on the card are simple, but they help us determine if we are doing
our jobs as best as we can. The answers are completely anonymous; however, if someone
wishes to identify themselves and/or if the person desires a response, someone will
contact them as soon as practical. We received the following responses from the 184
survey cards that were returned in 2012:
1. 97% of the respondents reported that our police officers responded in a
timely manner.
2. 94% of the respondents reported that our police officers were able to
provide them with sufficient information and service to resolve the
problem.
3. 97% of the respondents reported that our police officers were courteous
and displayed a professional demeanor.
4. 83% of the respondents rated the police service provided to them was
excellent (94% good to excellent).
5. 84% of the respondents rated the overall police service provided to the
community by the Towamencin Township police Department as excellent
(95% good to excellent).
23
VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM
It is the policy of the Towamencin Township Police Department to
comply with the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Act (18 P. S. § 11.101 et
seq.) in regard to responsibilities of state and local law enforcement
agencies. The police department conducts follow-up contact with crime
victims to insure that they have received the required notice of crime
victim services, answer questions, as well as to assist with identifying and
accessing available services. During 2012 follow-up services were
provided to 76 crime victims.
COMPLAINTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
It is the policy of the Towamencin Township Police to investigate all
complaints against a member of the department regardless of the source of such
complaints through a regulated, fair and impartial internal investigation. It is
important for the maintenance of professional conduct in a law enforcement
agency. Administrative review and investigation of police action or inaction is not
only initiated by complaint, but supervisory and management staff routinely
reviews police action and procedures.
The integrity of the department depends upon the personal integrity and
discipline of each employee. The objectives of complaint investigation and
administrative review are protection of the public, protection of the police
department, protection of the employee, the removal of unfit personnel, and
revision and correction of policies and police procedures.
During 2012 a total of thirteen (13) complaint investigations and
administrative reviews were conducted. Six (6) were initiated from complaints
and the other seven (7) were identified through departmental inspection and
control. All those generated by complaints were determined to be unfounded or
the allegations were not proven. Of the seven identified internally, four resulted in
some form of formal discipline. In every case where administrative investigation
and review is necessary, an assessment of the applicable policy and/or police
department procedure is also conducted.
24
AWARDS, COMMENDATIONS, and
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Special Recognition
Awarded October 10th, 2012 - Wildlife Conservation Officer Edwin C.
Glover (retired) Pennsylvania Game Commission
Board of Supervisors Chairman Littley, WCO (retired) E.C. Glover, and Chief Dickinson
Retired Wildlife Conservation Officer Edwin C. Glover was honored for his 35
years of service to the Towamencin Township Police Department and the
community.
Awarded November 14th, 2012 – Living Branches/Dock Woods Community
Edward Brubaker, CEO, and Nancy Donnelley, Director of Dock Woods
Community were presented a plaque for their years of assistance and
partnership with the police department.
25
Notable and/or Commendable Performance:
January 30, 2012 - Officer James Gibbas and Traffic Safety Officer Travis Wood
June 15, 2012 – Sergeant Daniel Jusko and Officer Kenneth Meyer
October 15, 2012 - Officer Kenneth Meyer and Officer Gregory Wert
October 22, 2012 – Detective John Wittenberger and Officer Steven Miller
November 30, 2012 - Officer Gregory Wert and Officer Patrick Horne
Township Service Awards
Lieutenant Jeffrey Kratz
Officer Gregory Wert
Sergeant Daniel Jusko
Officer Kenneth Meyer
Officer Edmund Howarth
Officer Steven Miller
Officer Michael Seider
Detective John Wittenberger
25 years
15 years
12 years
10 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
Completion of Training Period
April 4, 2012 – Booking Technician/Clerk (part-time) Rebecca Anhorn
successfully completed the three month training period.
Completion of Probation
April 5, 2012 – Officer Jennifer Frey successfully completed the one-year
probationary period for the position of Towamencin Township Police Officer.
Resignation
April 30, 2012 – Officer Brian Leedom resigned from the police department.
Retirement
November 29, 2013 – Officer Raymond Alexander retired from the police
department after over 26 years of service to the community.
26
SPECIAL EVENTS & DETAILS
th
Towamencin Day – May 7 , 2011
Other Special Events 2012
TRAFFIC SAFETY DETAILS 2012
NPHS DUI Re-enactment Event
Spring International Festival
Dock Community - Police Appreciation Event
Towamencin PD & TPOA Easter Egg Hunt
Morgandale Day Event
MS Walk
Lance Armstrong Livestrong Challenge
DEA National Drug Take Back Initiative
Towamencin Volunteer Fire Co. Open House
Turkey Trot 5K Run Event
Holiday Festival of Lights
Holiday Food & Toy Drive
Aggressive Driver Programs
Click It or Ticket
DUI Checkpoints
Roving DUI Patrols
Holiday Food & Toy Drive – December 31, 2012
27
11
5
3
4
POLICE TRAINING
Policing is a rapidly changing and evolving profession. Police personnel
require on-going in-service training to maintain their skills and to be proficient in
new techniques and technology. Training is not only provided to sworn police
officers, but training is also important for our civilian staff as well.
Minimal training requirements to maintain police officer certification are
specified and regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police
Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).
TRAINING CATEGORY
HOURS
Recruit & Field Training
Mandatory In-service Training (MIST)
General Police Procedures
Criminal Investigations
Traffic Accident & Enforcement
Special Tactics/Operations (includes SWAT & MIRT)
Weapons Training (includes firearms, defensive tactics, and less lethal)
Supervision and Management
Administrative Services
Total Police Department Training Hours
3,026
POLICE TRAINING 2012
Sp
ec
ia
lT
In
Tr
af
ac
fic
tic
s&
Op
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W
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Su
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pv
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du
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st
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at
io
ns
IS
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M
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Ge
ne
cr
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&
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O
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Re
0
344
190.5
258.5
265.5
648
796
332
185.5
28
1978
1989
1992
2005
2012
29