Northern Cambria Police
Mission:
Derek A. Stitt
Chief of Police
Office:814-948-4884 dstittncpd@northerncambriaborough.net
Press Release
NCPD UPDATES
Services
K-9 Unit
The NCPD K-9 Canine Unit is a specialized division that employs trained police canines, often referred to as K-9s, to assist our department in various tasks. This highly trained dog and his handler, Tonya Marshall are deployed for a range of purposes to enhance law enforcement capabilities and provide valuable assistance to officers in Northern Cambria and surrounding areas. Here's a summary of the K-9 unit’s purpose, uses, and benefits to the public: K-9 Canine Unit Operations: Detection: K-9s are trained to detect specific scents, such as drugs, explosives, firearms, and even electronic devices. They can efficiently search areas that might be difficult for human officers to access, helping to locate hidden contraband or potential threats. Tracking: Kato possess exceptional tracking abilities and can follow scents left by individuals, helping officers locate missing persons, suspects, or fleeing criminals. Search and Rescue: Kato is valuable in locating missing or lost individuals, whether in urban environments, wilderness, or disaster-stricken areas. Their keen sense of smell and agility can speed up search operations and increase the chances of locating people quickly. Apprehension: Kato is trained for apprehension purposes, meaning they can be deployed to subdue and hold down suspects who may be resisting arrest or attempting to escape. This can help minimize physical confrontations between officers and suspects. Community Engagement: Our K-9 unit often participate in community programs, demonstrations, and educational events. These interactions help foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the public, especially with children and students. Specialized Tasks: Kato can be utilized for searching for evidence, and performing building searches in tactical operations. Benefits to the Public: Enhanced Efficiency: K-9 units significantly enhance the efficiency of law enforcement operations by quickly locating evidence, suspects, or missing individuals. This can lead to quicker resolutions and safer outcomes. Reduced Risk: When a situation requires a suspect's apprehension, K-9s can often provide a safer alternative to physical force. This can reduce the risk of injuries to both officers and suspects. Versatility: K-9s can access areas that might be challenging for officers or technology to reach, such as densely wooded areas or disaster sites. Their capabilities make them versatile assets in various scenarios. Deterrence: The mere presence of a K-9 unit can deter criminal activity and discourage suspects from resisting arrest due to the dogs' intimidating presence and reputation for effectiveness. Public Relations: K-9 units help build positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Demonstrations and interactions with police dogs create opportunities for public engagement and education. Search and Rescue: In emergency situations, K-9s can be instrumental in locating individuals who are lost, injured, or trapped, potentially saving lives. In summary, the NCPD K-9 Canine Unit serves a crucial role in the department by providing specialized skills and capabilities that enhance public safety, aid in crime prevention, and assist officers in various operational scenarios. Their unique abilities, versatility, and positive impact on community relations make the K-9 unit an essential and valuable asset to the police department.
Patrol
The patrol division is a fundamental component of the Norther Cambria Police Department, responsible for maintaining public safety and order within our jurisdiction. The officers in this division are often the most visible representatives of the police force and play a crucial role in responding to emergencies, preventing crime, and maintaining a presence within the community. Below is a list of some of the various job description of the patrol division: *Emergency Response: Patrol officers are typically the first to respond to emergency calls, such as crimes in progress, accidents, medical emergencies, domestic disputes, and other incidents requiring immediate response. They must assess the situation, provide assistance, and coordinate with other units or police agencies if necessary. *Crime Prevention: Patrol officers are tasked with preventing criminal activity through proactive patrolling, surveillance, and community engagement. Their visible presence alone can deter potential criminals from engaging in illegal activities. *Investigative Duties: All the Northern Cambria officers play a part in the investigative process. The patrol officers’ that are initially assigned a call will conduct a preliminary investigation at crime scenes. They gather initial evidence, interview witnesses, secure the scene, and collect information that is forwarded to the officer or officers assigned to the investigation. The initial officer may also be assigned the investigation depending of each circumstance. *Traffic Enforcement: Patrol officers monitor roadways to enforce traffic laws, issue citations for violations such as speeding, reckless driving, and DUI, and respond to traffic accidents. This helps ensure public safety and reduce the risk of accidents. *Community Policing: Officers in the patrol division engage with the community, building relationships and trust. This approach fosters collaboration between law enforcement and the public, leading to better problem-solving and crime prevention. They attend community events, visits the school to discuss safety plans and stranger danger. *Business Checks /Home Vacation Checks: Officers conduct routine checks on local businesses and homes, especially when owners are away on vacation. This helps deter burglaries and other property crimes by maintaining a visible presence and detecting any suspicious activity. *Parking Enforcement: Patrol officers enforce parking regulations, issue parking tickets, and ensure that parking spaces are utilized appropriately. This helps manage traffic flow and maintain order in public spaces. We also have a parking enforcement officer who is primarily assigned to parking meter enforcement. *Public Assistance: Patrol officers assist citizens with a variety of non-emergency issues, including providing information, giving directions, and offering support in various situations. *Crisis Intervention: Patrol officers often respond to incidents involving individuals in crisis, such as mental health crises or disputes. They may need to defuse tense situations, provide initial support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources. *Report Writing: Accurate and detailed report writing is a crucial aspect of a patrol officer's job. Officers must document incidents, interactions, and observations, which can serve as essential records for investigations and legal proceedings. *Collaboration with Other Agencies: Patrol officers collaborate with other law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and community organizations to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies and incidents. *Shift Work: Patrol officers work around the clock, evenings, weekends, and holidays, to ensure 24/7 coverage for the residents if our jurisdiction. *In summary, the police patrol division serves as the backbone of the NCPD, providing the first line of response to emergencies, maintaining community presence, preventing crime, and upholding public safety. The diverse responsibilities of patrol officers require a combination of law enforcement skills, communication skills, and a strong commitment to serving and protecting the community.
Investigations
The Investigations Division Northern Cambria police department plays a critical role in maintaining public safety, solving crimes, and upholding the law within the community it serves. Despite limited resources, the Investigations Division, typically staffed by two officers, carries out several essential investigative functions as well as other assigned duties: *Criminal Investigations: The primary responsibility of the Investigations Division is to investigate criminal activities that occur within the borough. This includes but is not limited to crimes such as theft, burglary, assault, robbery, fraud, drug offenses, and violent crimes. Detectives gather evidence, interview witnesses, and follow leads to identify and apprehend suspects. *Evidence Collection: Our investigators are trained in proper evidence collection techniques. They collect, document, and preserve physical evidence from crime scenes to ensure the chain of custody remains intact. This evidence can be crucial for building a strong case for prosecution. Upon collection of evidence, it is placed into a temporary locker until the evidence officer takes custody and places it into evidence for storage or transports it to the Westmoreland County Crime lab for analysis. *Interviews and Interrogations: Our investigators conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects to gather information and evidence related to criminal cases. They may also conduct interrogations, when necessary, always adhering to legal guidelines and protocols. Interviews/Interrogations are done in the NCPD Interview room with audio/video recording to assure proper documentation of victim/witness or suspect statements. *Case Management: Our investigators are responsible for managing their cases from start to finish. They maintain detailed records, organize evidence, and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, and legal professionals as needed. Each case is assigned to an investigator by the Chief of Police. Most summary cases will be handled by the responding officer. *Suspect Identification and Arrest: The Investigations Division works diligently to identify and locate suspects involved in criminal activities. Once suspects are identified, they collaborate with patrol officers to effect arrests, ensuring that individuals responsible for criminal acts are prosecuted by the proper issuing authority. *Collaboration: Our investigators work closely with all other department members and local agencies. They also collaborate with external agencies such as the district attorney's office, probation, PSP and federal law enforcement agencies when necessary. *Support for Victims: Our investigators provide support and assistance to victims of crimes, guiding them through the legal process and connecting them with resources for counseling and victim services. Our office supplies victims of fraud with Identity Theft packets and assault/domestic violence victim(s) with victims’ rights packets. *Advanced Training: Our investigators stay updated on the latest investigative techniques, legal updates, and technological advancements through ongoing training and professional development to ensure they are equipped to handle a variety of cases effectively. Our investigator utilizes advance technology equipment to aid in their investigations and stay up to date with the newest technology. *Community Engagement: Building positive relationships with the community is vital. Investigating officers participate in community meetings, offer crime prevention tips, and encourage residents to report suspicious activity. This engagement fosters trust and cooperation, making it easier for detectives to gather information and solve cases. We utilize the Neighbors App program to assist with staying in touch with the community. *The Investigations Division is an essential part of the police department, working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the borough's residents while upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law. Despite limited manpower, this division plays a vital role in maintaining law and order within the community.
Ordinance Compliance
Our ordinance officers investigate complaints in regard to several different ordinance violation. They also conduct weekly patrols of borough properties to insure everyone is in compliance of the Northern Cambria Borough Ordinances. To learn more about the specific ordinances and enforcement procedures in Northern Cambria Borough, I recommend visiting the official website you provided (https://www.northerncambriaborough.net/labor-law And/or contacting the Northern Cambria Police or Borough office. They should be able to provide you with detailed information on how these ordinances are enforced, how complaints can be filed, and the penalties for violations.
Parking Enforcement
Our Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) employed by the Northern Cambria Borough has a vital role in maintaining order and safety in public parking areas, particularly in business districts. Their primary responsibilities include: *Enforcing Parking Regulations: PEOs are responsible for ensuring that vehicles parked in public spaces adhere to local parking regulations and laws. This includes monitoring parking meters, parking zones, and any other designated parking areas. *Ticketing: When a vehicle is found in violation of parking regulations, PEOs issue parking tickets. These tickets typically include information about the violation, the location, date, and time of the violation, and the fine or penalty associated with it. *Meter Enforcement: As you mentioned, PEOs often monitor and enforce parking meters. They ensure that vehicles parked at metered spaces pay the required fees and adhere to time limits. When a meter expires, they may issue tickets. *Traffic Flow and Safety: PEOs contribute to traffic flow and safety by ensuring that vehicles are parked in designated spaces, maintaining clear roadways, and preventing illegal or hazardous parking. *Towing and Vehicle Removal: In cases of severe violations or when a vehicle poses a safety hazard, PEOs may coordinate with the NCPD “on-duty” officer to have the vehicle removed from the area by a certified towing company. *Providing Information: PEOs often serve as a source of information for the public, helping citizens understand parking regulations and providing guidance on where to park legally. *Monitoring Special Zones: In some areas, PEOs may also enforce regulations related to loading zones, disabled parking spaces, and other special-use areas. They ensure that only authorized vehicles use these spaces. *Maintaining Records: PEOs maintain records of parking tickets issued and the revenue generated from fines. These records help track compliance and may be used for administrative purposes. These records are submitted to council for each monthly meeting by the Chief of Police. Overall, Parking Enforcement Officers play a vital role in ensuring that parking regulations are followed, which helps manage traffic, maintain safety, and generate revenue for local governments through fines and fees.
