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Spring 2001 Newsletter

 

Profile: Pennridge Regional Police Department

 

In 1992  East Rockhill Township joined forces with  Sellersville Borough  and West Rockhill Township to form the Pennridge Regional Police Department, in a successful cost saving effort.  Financially,  the department has provided an economy of scale whereby the operation costs  of the police force are shared through the purchase of police coverage or Police Protection Units (PPU’’s)  The Pennridge  department covers  a land area of approximately 31 square miles with an estimated population of over 14,000 residents.

 

Under the direction of the Pennridge Regional Police Commission, Chief  H. Randall Dilling heads a force of fourteen sworn police personnel and three non-sworn support personnel.

 

Located at 140 East Church Street in the Borough of Sellersville, the Department provides 24- hour response to calls for service and patrol. The department also offers a wide array of special programs and services. These services include a Dog K9 Unit, Traffic Safety and Accident Reconstruction Unit, Bicycle Patrol Unit, Community Crime Prevention Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit, Tactical Team and Youth Services Unit (which includes the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), School Resources Officer (SRO) and the Youth Aide Panel (YAP) programs). These programs and services are readily available to residents, community organizations and schools within the Pennridge Regional Police jurisdiction.

 

The Pennridge Regional Police Commission is comprised of one elected official appointed from each municipality. Since the birth of the department Township Supervisor Gary W. Volovnik has served as the township’s representative, with Supervisor,  John R. Cressman  serving as  an alternate.

 

For the year 2001, the operating budget for the entire department will be  a total cost of $1,541,425.00 or 55 PPU’s. The Township has purchased 17 PPU’s at a cost of $456,250.00 or 12 monthly payments in the amount of $38,020.84 per month. Chief Dilling advises that ”all emergency needs for police services should always be requested by dialing 911.” Non-emergency business may be conducted during normal business hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the administrative offices or by calling 215-257-5104.  After normal business hours non-emergency police services may be requested by calling 215-257-2444.

 

The Pennridge Regional Police Department model  is being duplicated across the State as local municipalities have faced increased police protection cost.