Port Authority Police Department (Allegheny County)

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Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department
AbbreviationPAPD
Agency overview
Preceding agency
Employees68
Annual budget$4.6 million [1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States
Governing body Port Authority Board
Operational structure
Headquarters345 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
Officers46
Civilians12
Agency executive
Parent agencyPort Authority of Allegheny County
Units
6
  • Bike
  • Canine
  • Emergency Services
  • Plain Clothes
  • Collision Investigation
  • Digital Forensics
Facilities
Dogs2
Website
Department Website

The Port Authority Police Department is a law enforcement agency in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It is a transit police agency, authorized by Title 22, Chapter 33 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which provides policing, investigation and crime prevention services to Port Authority of Allegheny County facilities, routes, and services. [2] [3]

Contents

History

The first officer attributed to the Port Authority Police Department, Rege Kelly, was appointed in 1968 to investigate security issues and serve as a liaison with other law enforcement agencies. At that time, patrol services were provided by the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office on a contract basis. Kelly, a retired officer of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, was subsequently appointed as the first Chief of Police upon the formal formation of the department.

In 1985 the Port Authority Police Department reorganized as a police department under Title 22, Chapter 33 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office withdrew all services in 1997, placing full responsibility for transit policing on the PAPD. The then Chief, William T. McArdle, directed the expansion of the department, including creation of a number of specialized units, and prioritized officer education. [4]

The merger of the PAPD with the Allegheny County Police Department for cost-saving and oversight purposes has been explored on a number of occasions. [5]

Organization

A PAPD Ford Police Interceptor Utility patrol vehicle. Port Authority of Allegheny County Police car.JPG
A PAPD Ford Police Interceptor Utility patrol vehicle.

The executive of the Port Authority Police Department is the Chief of Police, currently Matt Porter, and is appointed by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

In addition to regular patrol officers which conduct foot and motor patrol, the department comprises several specialized units. [6] [7]

Vehicles

The PAPD utilizes the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Impala as marked patrol vehicles. It also operates a Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with a utility body as the primary Emergency Services Unit vehicle. [13] All SUVs are fitted with full-coverage wrap-round push bars for moving disabled vehicles. The department is in transition between an all white paint scheme with a blue stripe and department seal on the front doors, and a more complex blue-and-white LAPD-style color scheme featuring large lettering across both doors and the department badge on the front quarter-panel.

See also

References

  1. Port Authority of Allegheny County (2020), Operating and Capital Improvement Budget, p. 81, retrieved April 5, 2020
  2. "The Overlapping Police Departments of Allegheny County". Lauren Renaud. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  3. "Port Authority of Allegheny County > Rider Services > Police & Safety". www.portauthority.org. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  4. "Port Authority Police, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA". www.portauthoritypolice.org. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  5. "Proposal would merge police units in Allegheny County | TribLIVE.com". archive.triblive.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  6. "Activists are concerned Allegheny County Port Authority Police aren't being held accountable". Pittsburgh City Paper. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  7. "Archived copy". crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Port Authority Police, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA". www.portauthoritypolice.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  9. "Port Authority Police, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA". www.portauthoritypolice.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  10. "Port Authority Police Dept in Pittsburgh , PA". YP.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  11. "Port Authority Police, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA". www.portauthoritypolice.org. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  12. "Port Authority Police, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA". www.portauthoritypolice.org. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  13. "police cars". www.policecarwebsite.net. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2019.