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Police Department |
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Police Department |
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The Lower Providence Township Police Department is a professional, progressive, community oriented law enforcement organization committed to making Lower Providence Township a good place to live, work, and play. The department consists of thirty-one police officers and five civilian dispatchers. The department provides a multitude of police services to a resident population of approximately 24,000 people in a geographic area of 14.77 square miles. |
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Police Department Staff |
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Francis L. Carroll |
Chief of Police |
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Stanley M. Turtle |
Lieutenant |
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Contact Information |
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Telephone |
(610) 539-5900 |
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Fax |
(610) 630-2219 |
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Hours of Operation |
24 hours a day / 365 days a year |
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Department Contact |
Contact Form |
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Department Email |
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Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) |
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A New Police Initiative |
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 The Lower Providence Township Police Department, in an effort to keep pace with today’s technologically savvy criminals, is a participating agency in the Philadelphia Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (PHRCFL), a partnership between the FBI and state and local law enforcement agencies. The state-of-the-art laboratory is devoted to the examination of digital evidence in support of criminal investigations. As a participating agency, Lower Providence receives training and assistance with digital evidence collection and preservation. The PHRCFL supports investigations into such crimes as child pornography, Internet crimes, terrorism, fraud, and crimes of violence. |
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School Resource Officer |
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Through a three-year grant administered by the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Methacton School District and Lower Providence Township have partnered to assign a police officer to act as a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the Methacton schools located in the Township. The primary focus of the SRO program is education and prevention, providing valuable insight for parents, students and educators on important community issues such as crime and substance abuse. The program enables the School District and the Township to provide a safe learning environment for students while improving the relationships between law enforcement personnel and youth. Officer Mark A. Stead, a seven-year veteran of the Lower Providence Township Police Department and a certified SRO, maintains an office at Arcola Intermediate School. For additional information on the School Resource Officer program, please contact Off. Stead, 610-539-5900, extension 30237 or mstead@lowerprovidence.org. |
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Dispatch Center |
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The Police Department maintains a Dispatch Center that is staffed twenty-four hours a day for the purpose of providing safety, efficient service, and convenience to the public. In addition to being accessible to the public through personal visits and telephone contact through the ten-digit telephone number of (610) 539-5900, the Dispatch Center is linked to the Montgomery County Communications Center 9-1-1 Center in order to provide expedient responses to emergency situations within the Township. |
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Department Structure |
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The Lower Providence Township Police Department maintains three Divisions or units. The Patrol Division is the largest unit and is responsible for the primary police services provided to the Township. The Patrol Division is composed of four platoons that are each supervised by a Sergeant. Patrol officers work a twelve-hour schedule and rotate from night shift to day shift every two weeks. Patrol cars are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) which are computer terminals that provide officers with instantaneous information on driver's license information, vehicle registration information, stolen vehicle information, wanted person information and confidential messaging between vehicles and the Police Dispatch Center. Several patrol cars are also equipped with in-car video cameras that are utilized to record vehicle stops, DUI enforcement, suspicious activity and crime scenes. The Lower Providence Township Police Department was in the forefront in Montgomery County in equipping patrol cars with Automatic Electrical Defibrillators (AEDs) which are used to treat individuals that are in cardiac arrest.
The Detective Division is responsible for the investigation of all criminal offenses that occur within the Township. A Detective Sergeant supervises the division.
The Crime Prevention/Community Relations Division is responsible for developing, presenting and coordinating all activities within the department related to relations with the community with a particular emphasis on those areas dealing with the prevention of crime. |
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Programs |
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Project Return Safely - The Lower Providence Township Police Department in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter, is proud to present Project Return Safely. Project Return Safely is a voluntary Police Department program that assists Police Officers in reuniting caregivers with lost or wandering loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Autism or other incapacitating conditions. This free service is a valuable tool in identifying distressed individuals quickly and effectively. The Lower Providence Township Police Department will also provide registered caregivers with information about the Alzheimer's Association and the services they offer.
To enroll in Project Return Safely, simply read the Project Return Safely Registration Form Instructions, then print the Project Return Safely Registration Form or obtain a registration form in the Lower Providence Police Department lobby. Complete the form and attach a recent photograph of the participant. Mail the registration form and photograph to:
Project Return Safely Coordinator
Lower Providence Township Police Department
100 Parklane Drive
Eagleville, PA 19403
Or call the Project Return Safely Coordinator, at 610-539-5900 for more information. |
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Vacation Home Checks - The Lower Providence Township Police Department has for a number of years provided this service to residents and property owners in which a police officer checks the property at least once per day in the absence of the resident. This service may be received by simply calling the Police Dispatch Center at (610) 539-5900 prior to the departure date and providing the dispatcher with the required information. |
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Park and Walk Program - In furtherance of the Community Policing principles adopted by the Lower Providence Township Police Department, patrol officers park their patrol vehicles in shopping centers within their assigned patrol zone during their tour of duty and conduct a foot patrol of the business area. |
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Neighborhood Watch - The Township Neighborhood Watch Program is coordinated by the Crime Prevention/Community Relations Division. The Neighborhood Watch Program is a formalized means of organizing citizens to act as the eyes and ears of the police within the community. The Program also serves to educate citizens concerning current crime trends and various crime prevention and detection methods. In order to become involved in an existing Neighborhood Watch or to start a Neighborhood Watch within a particular area, contact Cpl. David L. Detwiler at (610) 539-5900, extension 148. |
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Safe House Program - The Safe House Program is a cooperative effort between the Police Department and the various neighborhoods throughout the Township in which parents that are commonly home during times that children are traveling to and from school volunteer to provide a "safe house" for children to go to when they feel that there may be suspicious activity or a suspicious person in the area. The "safe house" volunteer receives an orientation in the proper response to a child in distress and the appropriate measures to take to contact the police. The "safe houses" within the neighborhood are clearly distinguished by placards that are prominently placed in the front windows of the homes. To volunteer or to receive additional information on the Safe House Program, contact Cpl. David L. Detwiler at (610) 539-5900, extension 148. |
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Substance Abuse Programs - Members of the Lower Providence Township Police Department are available to present educational and prevention programs to audiences of all ages concerning substance abuse. Beyond the traditional view of substance abuse as being restricted to controlled substances and drugs, the programs also cover the areas of tobacco use by young people, alcohol abuse and Driving Under the Influence issues. |
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Juvenile Fingerprinting - The Juvenile Fingerprinting Program is conducted in conjunction with schools within the Township in order to provide a means of positive identification of missing children. The fingerprints are taken by trained police personnel and the fingerprint card is provided to the parent or child for safekeeping. Parents of children who have not had the opportunity to have their child fingerprinted in the schools may contact the Police Dispatch Center at (610) 539-5900 to make an appointment. |
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Officer Friendly Program - The highly successful Officer Friendly Program is conducted by a uniformed police officer and serves to foster a positive relationship between young children and the police while also providing valuable personal safety and security information through the use of lectures, booklets and coloring books. Please contact Cpl. David L. Detwiler at (610) 539-5900, extension 148, to arrange an Officer Friendly Program. |
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Stranger Awareness Program - The Stranger Awareness Program was developed to help children learn the dangers of going with strangers and some of the ruses used to entice children. A "Patch The Pony" film is utilized to assist in presenting the program to children and a correlation is made between this program and the Safe House Program. Cpl. David L. Detwiler may be reached at (610) 539-5900, extension 148, in order to receive additional information or to schedule at Stranger Awareness Program. |
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Bicycle Safety Program - The Bicycle Safety Program is conducted in conjunction with the Lower Providence Park and Recreation Department. The program emphasizes the safe operation of bicycles and helmet usage. Police officers provide instruction to participants, inspect their bicycles and supervise exercises through a course set up to simulate various situations that a cyclist may encounter. The program has proven to be very effective and popular and has been recently featured as an activity at Neighborhood Block Parties. In order to schedule a Bicycle Safety Program for a youth group or neighborhood, please contact Cpl. David L. Detwiler at (610) 539-5900, extension 148. |
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Police Station Tours - The Lower Providence Township Police Department station is open to tours by the public. The station tours are of particular interest to young people who can see first hand how their local police department operates. A highlight of the tour is the jail cell area. To arrange a tour of the police facility for a youth or scout group, please contact Cpl. David L. Detwiler at (610) 539-5900, extension 148. |
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Scout Program- Police officers are available to assist scout members with achieving merit badges through law enforcement related programs. |
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Street Smart Program The Street Smart Program assists children in learning the safety rules to follow when walking on or along the streets of the Township. Safety belt usage is emphasized when traveling in a car and school bus safety is addressed. Cpl. David L. Detwiler is available to present a Street Smart Program by contacting him at (610) 539-5900, extension 148. |
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Halloween Safety Program - The Halloween season is a time of extra excitement for youngsters throughout the Township. In order to address the areas of safety and awareness when celebrating Halloween, the Police Department has developed a program with the assistance of local business sponsors to distribute approximately 3,000 Halloween "Trick or Treat" bags to all of the students of the Township's elementary and nursery schools along with distribution to the general public. |
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Adult Fingerprinting - Fingerprinting is provided for any adult resident or employee of a Township business for a twenty ($20.00) fee. Fingerprints may be required for various licensing requirements, such as Securities and Exchange Commission licensing, Insurance Brokerage licensing, Bar Examination qualification and State Teachers' Certification. Appointments for fingerprinting may be made by calling the Police Dispatch Center at (610) 539-5900. |
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Traffic Complaints - A resident may make the Police Department aware of a dangerous traffic condition by contacting the Police Dispatch Center at (610) 539-5900 and advising the police dispatcher of the specific times that violations are occurring. A Traffic Complaint Form is completed by the police dispatcher and forwarded to the Patrol Division. The Patrol Division is then responsible for conducting selective enforcement at the location in an effort to remedy the problem. The department has patrol cars equipped with VASCAR and TRACKER speed timing devices and also uses ESP and AccuTRAK equipment in their efforts to enforce the motor vehicle laws.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Link |
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Specializations |
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Canine Unit - The Lower Providence Township Police Department consists of Off. Kenneth D. Duelley and his canine partner, Baco, and Off. Matthew L. Kuhnert and his canine partner, Shadow. The officers and their canines completed training in July 2004 as police patrol canine teams. The teams were trained in tracking of individuals, article searches, building searches, field searches and apprehension techniques and other areas of police canine patrol. |
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Bicycle Patrol - Eight members of the Lower Providence Township Police Department have been certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) for police bicycle patrol. The department currently utilizes police patrol bicycles at special events, shopping center and apartment patrols and neighborhood patrols. |
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Motorcycle Unit - In May 2002, a Motorcycle Unit was formed within the Patrol Division. The unit consists of two Harley-Davidson Police motorcycles that are utilized for general patrol purposes, traffic enforcement, community events and special assignment details. |
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DUI Enforcement - The Lower Providence Township Police Department is a member of the Valley Forge Area DUI Task Force which is comprised of several area police departments that combine their efforts and resources in addressing the issue of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Controlled Substances. The Task Force conducts sobriety checkpoints and specific patrol details for DUI offenders. |
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Drug Enforcement - Seven officers of the Lower Providence Township Police Department are assigned to the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. The Task Force is administered by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and is funded through the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. The officers are responsible for the investigation, apprehension and prosecution of those within our community who engage in the trafficking of controlled substances. In order to report suspected drug activity in your neighborhood, contact the Police Dispatch Center at (610) 539-5900. |
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Police Department Hotline |
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The Lower Providence Township Police Department has established a hotline to solicit leads from residents on tobacco, drug and alcohol violators. This information, along with other independent information, has lead to successful investigations and arrests.
In addition, the hotline has been expanded to provide a means in which parents can report "party" information. Parents who obtained prior information of an upcoming drug or alcohol party can report the information through the hotline. The police will attempt to notify the parents of the host juvenile prior to the party, in the hopes of preventing a tragedy.
The Lower Providence Township Police Department Hotline number is (610) 539-3195. |
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Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics Team - Six officers of the Lower Providence Township Police Department are assigned to the Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics Team (CMCSWAT). The team, made up of police officers from nine area agencies, is responsible for responding to high-risk incidents such as Emotionally Disturbed Persons, barricaded persons, hostage situations and warrant services. The department members serve as crisis negotiators and entry operators. |
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Accident Reconstruction - Two members of the Lower Providence Township Police Department are certified accident reconstructionists, with one being recognized as an expert in the field. The reconstructionists are charged with determining the causation of all serious and fatal automobile accidents. The department was recently fortunate enough to receive a generous donation of a state-of-the-art laser measuring device for the measurement and computer aided diagramming of accident scenes |
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Curfew Ordinance - Lower Providence Township Ordinance Number 274 was enacted to assist in regulating the activities of individuals under 18 years of age in public places. The Ordinance restricts anyone under 18 years of age from public places between 10:00 P.M. and 6:30 A.M., Sunday through Thursday, and between 12:00 midnight and 6:30 A.M. on Friday and Saturday. The penalty for a violation of the Curfew Ordinance ranges from $25.00 to $300.00 plus the costs of prosecution. |
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Emergency Alarm Ordinance - Lower Providence Township Ordinance Number 462 is intended to regulate burglar and fire alarms installed in residences and businesses. The Ordinance requires that all alarm systems be registered with the Police Department and be in compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance. The Police Department's Crime Prevention/Community Relations Division administers the Ordinance and is available at (610) 539-5900, extension 148 to provide assistance in interpreting or complying with the provisions of the Ordinance. |
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Police Reports |
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Accident Reports - Copies of accident reports prepared as a result of an accident investigation conducted by the Lower Providence Township Police Department may be obtained by contacting the Police Dispatch Center by telephone at (610) 539-5900 or by appearing at the police station lobby at any time. Please be prepared to provide the date, time, location and accident report number of the report requested. The police dispatcher will obtain the information and clerical personnel will prepare the report for release. A fifteen dollar ($15.00) fee is charged for a police accident report. Additional fees are charged for reconstructed accidents and photographs. |
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Incident Reports - Copies of police Incident Reports may be obtained, with specific restrictions on the release of incident reports as delineated in the Criminal History Records and Information Act, The Juvenile Act, The Right to Know Act, and the rules relating to discovery in a criminal proceeding, for a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00). The Lower Providence Township Police Department reserves the right to refuse the release of reports in conformance with the above statutes and redact sensitive or personal information from any report deemed appropriate for release. |
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Police Department
Francis L. Carroll, Chief of Police
phone (610) 539-5900, fax (610) 630-2219 |
