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Police Department

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Message from the Chief

Welcome to the Upper Southampton Township Police Department website. Our philosophy is to work in partnership with the community to address issues that affect the community. Upper Southampton Township is a community of slightly less than seven square miles located north of the city of Philadelphia in Bucks County, with a population of just over 15,000 and a considerable larger transient population. In July of 2012, we were awarded accreditation status from the PA Law Enforcement Accreditation Program of the PA Chiefs of Police Association. Accreditation assures that the department has policies and procedures which adhere to the current best accepted practices and provides for improved methods of police services for the department, municipality and community.

The Upper Southampton Township Police Department works tirelessly to assure our residents that their community is protected and that we provide services with integrity and respect. If I or any member of our staff can be of assistance please feel free to contact us. Please enjoy this website and Upper Southampton Township.

Ronald MacPherson

Chief of Police

Accreditation:

The Upper Southampton Township Police Department completed its on-site assessment by assessors of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) on June 4 and 5, 2012. The unanimous recommendation of certified assessors was approved by PLEAC and on July 11, 2012 accreditation status was granted to the Upper Southampton Township Police at the PA Chiefs of Police Conference annual banquet in Harrisburg, PA.

The accreditation concept and practice is not new. For many years, hospitals, universities and other professional fields have undergone accreditation to prove compliance with a set of professional standards. The concept of accreditation is a progressive and time-proven way of helping organizations evaluate and improve their overall performance.

Accreditation requires the agency to meet 132 proven standards that address four areas which are Organization and Management Roles, Law Enforcement Functions, Staff Support Responsibilities and PA Legal Mandates.  It is an ongoing process whereby the agency is required to establish policy and procedures against established criteria and have compliance with that criteria verified by three independent assessors during a mock and on site assessment.   The assessors review training, services, equipment, policies and participate in ride alongs to verify compliance with the acceptable best practices as set forth by PLEAC.  Accreditation affects every component of the agency and assures the community is receiving professional police services.

The PLEAC recognition is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence in the law enforcement profession. The Upper Southampton Township community can take pride in their department knowing it represents the very best in PA law enforcement.

PLEAC was established in July 2001 and the Upper Southampton Township Police Department became the 80th PLEAC accredited agency out of over 1200 police departments in Pennsylvania.   Only 6% of police departments in PA are accredited and we are one of only five in Bucks County.

Some benefits of accreditation for our agency:

  • Established a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures.
  • Reduces agency risk and exposure to lawsuits.
  • Decreases some liability insurance expenditures.
  • Improves law enforcement-community relations.
  • Increases employee input, interaction and confidence in the agency.Accreditation Logo
  • Enlarges the outlook and viewpoints of managers, officers and employees.
  • Identifies and highlights the capabilities and competence of the agency.
  • Furnishes a solid foundation for the agency to build upon for further progress.
  • Provides reliable methods to improve essential management procedures.
  • Extends agency accountability to the public and elected officials.
  • Enhances planning and innovation activities by all agency personnel.
  • Develops improved methods for providing services to the community.
  • Encourages problem-solving activities within the agency.

For more information on PLEAC go to the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police website @ www.pachiefs.org/Accreditation.

About the Department

The Upper Southampton Police Department consists of 22 full-time sworn police officers, three full time and four part time administrative personnel (school crossing guards). The Department is comprised of three divisions: patrol, detective and administrative. The sworn staff includes a police chief, lieutenant, two detectives, four patrol sergeants, and 14 patrol officers.

Several officers from the department also participate in the South-Central Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.). The team is designed for emergency responses to tactical situations which include hostage situations, barricaded subjects and high-risk warrant services. The officers perform several roles ranging from tactical operators to crisis negotiators.

Officers are also trained to participate in the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team (M.I.R.T.). The team is comprised of members from various police departments in Bucks County. Members are trained to respond to major incidents within Bucks County such as civil disturbances, natural disasters, dignitary protection, chemical / biological incidents, and terrorist attacks.
Our officers are also trained to specialize in bicycle patrol, Motor Carrier Safety Alliance Program (MCSAP) as well as maintaining certification in weights and measures, accident investigation and reconstruction, traffic enforcement, crime scene processing and firearms instruction.

Our detectives, as well as a few of our officers, are sworn as special Bucks County Detectives. They perform narcotics investigations throughout the County with emphasis on our jurisdiction and assist other agencies with their investigations.

History of the Upper Southampton Police Department

At a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors held on April 7, 1942, it was agreed to appoint Howard J. Ryan for the position of policeman for a period of one year and to establish the Upper Southampton Police Department.  On June 2, 1942, Officer Ryan was promoted to Chief.  After 18 months, Chief Ryan resigned, and on October 5, 1943, Clarence Heppe was appointed as Chief.  He remained the Township's lone full-time police officer until 1950, when Charles W. Gray was hired.

Chief Heppe retired as Chief of Police in 1958, and Sgt. Charles W. Gray was then appointed Chief and served for 17 years. Chief Gray retired in June, 1975, after 25 years of service, and Walter C. Stevens, a member of the department since 1959, was appointed to Chief of Police.  The department expanded to 20 officers and established a detective division, cadet program, a juvenile division and K9 unit.

In 1989, Chief Stevens retired and Lieutenant David Schultz was promoted to Chief.  He served as Chief for 20 years, retiring in December 2009.  Under Chief Schultz the department instituted bicycle patrol, motor carrier enforcement, community policing programs and mobile data terminals in the police vehicles.

In December 2009, Ronald MacPherson, was appointed Chief and remains in charge assisted by Lieutenant Frank Groome of the present department consisting of 22 full-time sworn police officers, three full time and four part time administrative personnel (school crossing guards). The Department is comprised of three divisions: patrol, detective and administrative. The sworn staff includes a police chief, lieutenant, 2 detectives, 4 patrol sergeants, and 14 patrol officers.    The department instituted directed patrols, FTO program, awards program, code of discipline, safety net program, and air cards to operate the RMS live in patrol cars.

Several officers from the department participate in the South-Central Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.). The team is designed for emergency responses to tactical situations which include hostage situations, barricaded subjects and high-risk warrant services. The officers perform several roles ranging from tactical operators to crisis negotiators.

Officers are also trained to participate in the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team (M.I.R.T.). The team is comprised of members from various police departments in Bucks County. Members are trained to respond to major incidents within Bucks County such as civil disturbances, natural disasters, dignitary protection, chemical / biological incidents, and terrorist attacks.   Assault rifles were added to the armory of police weapons.

Our officers are also trained to specialize in bicycle patrol, Motor Carrier Safety Alliance Program (MCSAP) as well as maintaining certification in weights and measures, accident investigation and reconstruction, traffic enforcement, crime scene processing and firearms instruction.   Our detectives, as well as a few of our officers, are sworn as special Bucks County Detectives. They perform narcotics investigations throughout the County with emphasis on our jurisdiction and assist other agencies with their investigations.

In July of 2012, we became accredited by the PA Law Enforcement Accreditation Program of the PA Chiefs of Police Association. Accreditation assures that the department has policies and procedures which adhere to the current best accepted practices and provides for improved methods of police services for the department, municipality and community.   The department has a new policy book, updated procedures, facilities and equipment to comply with the 138 accreditation standards.

The mission of the Upper Southampton Township Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in our township by providing the highest level of police services through a partnership with the community.  How we work to achieve our mission and the degree of our success depends upon our core values of service, integrity and respect.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Upper Southampton Township Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in our township by providing the highest level of police services through a partnership with the community. The commitment of each member shall be to tirelessly protect the citizens of our community, serving them without prejudice and creating a safe, crime-free environment by enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Constitution.

Value Statement

How we work to achieve our mission and the degree of our success depends upon our values. Values are statements of the standards and beliefs that are the most important to the employees of the department and our community in achieving our mission.

Core Values

PatchService - We shall commit ourselves to faithfully and selflessly perform our duties while continually pursuing the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and expertise. We shall foster community and employee involvement through problem-solving partnerships.

Integrity - We shall commit ourselves to the highest moral and ethical standards. We conduct ourselves in our professional and personal lives in a manner beyond reproach. The honor amongst us is paramount.

Respect - We shall commit ourselves to treat all persons in an unbiased, dignified and compassionate manner that shall serve as an example to all.

Motto: "Serving with Integrity and Respect"

Information

Police

Upper Southampton Township Police Department
939 Street Road
Southampton, PA 18966

Emergency: 9-1-1
Police Dispatch: (215) 357-8900
Non-Emergency Administration / Voice Mail: (215) 364-5000

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Police StaffView entire directory

NameTitleTelephone
Ron MacPhersonChief(215) 364-5000 x112
Frank GroomeLieutenant(215) 364-5000 x113
Craig RudisillDetective(215) 364-5000 x117
James SchirmerDetective(215) 364-5000 x115
Michael JonesSergeant(215) 364-5000 x157
John CostelloSergeant(215) 364-5000 x118
Frank WalterSergeant(215) 364-5000 x152
Richard GruverSergeant(215) 364-5000 x137
William McCloskeyOfficer(215) 364-5000 x151
Anthony MarsagliaOfficer(215) 364-5000 x152
Russell BummOfficer(215) 364-5000 x154
Al CostantiniOfficer(215) 364-5000 x136
Scott IrvinOfficer(215) 364-5000 x155
Fred WilliamsonOfficer(215) 364-5000 x153
Milton WarrellOfficer(215) 364-5000 x140
Andrew BrownOfficer(215) 364-5000 x158
Daniel SchmidtOfficer(215) 364-5000 x157
Scott HartranftOfficer(215) 364-5000 x118
Michael KaminskiOfficer(215) 364-5000 x133
Derek GaleOfficer(215) 364-5000 x156
Ryan HandOfficer(215) 364-5000 x144
Francis FazzioOfficer(215) 364-5000 x135
Lori KaessChief's Secretary(215) 364-5000 x120
Carol CarverCourt Liaison(215) 364-5000 x116
Christina HowellReceptionist(215) 364-5000 x110

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