User:Transit cop/Port Authority Transit Police (Allegheny County Pennsylvania)

Port Authority Police Allegheny County Pennsylvania new article content ... The Port Authority Police Department was organized to oversee the security and protection of Port Authority customers, employees and facilities. Empowered by state law and commissioned by the Governor, Port Authority police officers have jurisdiction on and adjacent to Port Authority property as well as throughout the Commonwealth when in pursuit of transportation system business.

The responsibility to police a transportation system which operates over a 730-square mile area 365 days a year creates unique challenges and demands a force that is professionally trained and knowledgeable of all law enfor cement matters.

Canine Unit The department has three canine officers. The dogs are specially trained for explosive detection as well as crowd control. The Port Authority Transit Police K9 Unit is an effective deterrent and a useful instrument in crime prevention, as well as promoting positive public relations within the communities we serve. The Officers of the K9 Unit welcome the opportunity to provide education to the public in a variety of forums.

Collision Investigation Unit The Port Authority Police operates a Collision Investigation Unit to respond to major accidents involving the Port Authority. Currently, two officers are trained as Collision Reconstructionist’s, along with other officers in the department that have received Basic and Advanced Collision Investigation Training. Officers attend classes sponsored by the Institute for Law Enforcement Education (I.L.E.E), Pennsylvania State Police Training Academy as well as the Federal Transit Administration (F.T.A.). The Collision Unit carries its equipment in the Department’s Emergency Service Vehicle. Officers are also trained in to download crash data that is stored in most vehicles that are manufactured today. The collision unit currently has an officer certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct systematic inspections of commercial motor vehicles that travel throughout the transportation system. He has also received special training in the inspection of passenger carrying vehicles, and conducts post accident inspections on all commercial vehicles that are involved in reportable accidents.

Community Oriented Policing Port Authority Transit Police are committed to a philosophy of community oriented policing. Our goal is to be more accessible to, and accepted by, the communities in which our transit system operates throughout Allegheny County, while providing more efficient and effective service to our riders. One of the major objectives to our community policing efforts is to establish an active partnership between police and communities to resolve issues, and help implement solutions and services that are truly community-based. This requires us as police officers to make a conscious effort to create an atmosphere in which community partners actively and willingly co-operate with the police. This is done through a variety of initiatives; The Port Authority Transit Police are actively involved with the F.B.I. "Adopt a School" program. A program based on volunteers and or police officers acting as role models and mentors for students, stressing the importance of obtaining a good education, living healthy, drug free, and abstaining from violent and criminal behavior. We are also involved with community law enforcement based programs such as Camp Cadet. This program is designed to give boys and girls, ages 12 thru 14 an opportunity to learn about law enforcement while living in an atmosphere similar to police training academy.

Emergency Services Unit The Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department Emergency Services Unit was created to assist the department through a group of specially trained officers for situations that arise above and beyond the normal capabilities of the patrol division. ESU members have been specially trained in numerous areas: SWAT Tactics, Counter-Terrorism, Dignitary Protection, Riot Control, K-9, Hazmat, Hostage Negotiations and Explosive Ordinances. ESU members are deployed throughout the port district and transportation system service area performing both general patrol responsibilities and emergency services operations. The PAPD ESU also works in conjunction with surrounding law enforcement agencies i.e. Pittsburgh SWAT, SHACOG CRT, North Hills PD SERT, Pennsylvania State Police and U.S. Federal Air Marshall in a consolidated effort for the overall safety of the region.

Digital Forensics Unit In 2001 the Port Authority Police Department saw a tremendous increase in fraud related crime investigations. In the processing of these types of cases numerous computers were being seized for their evidentiary value and then sent out for processing. Unfortunately, the processing time of the evidence was up to one year. In an effort to expedite the processing of digital evidence the Computer Forensics Unit was formed. Over the years the unit’s responsibilities have grown and evolved from not only processing computers, but also processing video, audio, and most recently cell phone evidence.

Bicycle Unit The Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department Mountain Bike Unit was established in September of 2002 as a supplement to the Uniform Patrol Division. All officers assigned to the Unit are certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA.org). The Bike Unit duties include: general district patrol, traffic enforcement, crowd control, community oriented policing, D.U.I. patrol and click it or ticket enforcement. The Unit also assists the PAPD Detectives/ Plain Clothes Division. The bike officers are deployed throughout the transportation system service area. However, officers often patrol the City of Pittsburgh’s central business district, Port Authority park ‘n’ ride lots and several pedestrian/bike throughways and trails.