QVCOG Police Chiefs Committee
Background
Initially convening to tour the new Allegheny County Emergency Services Facility, the QVCOG’s Police Chiefs Committee has developed into a comprehensive work-shop group which now meets every other month. Since its inception, the group has identified various issues and needs which has allowed all nine member departments to work together in a collaborative manner to implement solutions to various challenges including staffing and equipment shortages and traffic enforcement. With the assistance of the QVCOG the group has applied for and received grants for shared equipment which can be utilized by all participating agencies (see below). Throughout each grant application shared polices are developed and approved by each participating municipality/department. In addition to the open dialogues within each meeting, there also educational/informational presentations and trainings.
A few of the accomplishments of the group include the following:
Mutual Aid Agreement
In the spring of 2022 the QVCOG Board of Delegates requested that the Police Chiefs Committee review the current Police Mutual Aid Agreement which was approved and enacted in 2009. After two meetings, the Police Chiefs Committee contributed towards and agreed upon an updated mutual aid agreement. At its August 17, 2022 meeting, the QVCOG Board of Delegates approved the structure and language of the Agreement. Highlights of the Agreement include updated verbiage, increased insurance requirements, and the addition of Leet Township and the Quaker Valley Area School District into the pact. The Agreement was unanimously approved by all participating agencies.
Latent Evidence Grant
The QVCOG received two equipment awards from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association totaling $18,813.50 through the "Latent Evidence Improvement Project". These grant awards were used to procure a shared digital camera kit, a 48-inch floor model Safefume CA Fuming Chamber, and a 36-inch floor model Drysafe Evidence Drying Cabinet which may be utilized by our region's 9 Police Departments. The Ohio Township Police Department (serving Aleppo Township, Ben Avon Borough, Emsworth Borough, and Kilbuck Township) is hosting the aforementioned equipment and has stated an intention to train any interested officers on latent fingerprint capture practices.
Mobile Fingerprint Scanner
The QVCOG was selected by the PA Chiefs of Police Association to receive a shared Mobile Fingerprint Scanner which will be made available to all QVCOG police departments. The device is set to be hosted by the Edgeworth Police Department (301 Beaver Road, Edgeworth, PA 15143). The application required that a usage police be approved by all participating departments. The QVCOG was recognized by the PA Chief of Police Association as being the first organization in the state to utilize a shared equipment model (i.e. latent fingerprint grant & mobile fingerprint scanner). The mobile fingerprint scanner requires a cellular connection and software maintenance package ($990 annually) which will absorbed by QVCOG for at least the first year of the partnership.
Keystone Communities Program
Due to the advocacy from Representative Valerie Gaydos (PA-44) the Quaker Valley Council of Governments has been allocated $100,000.00 through the Keystone Communities Program for the procurement, installation, and maintenance of traffic cameras and associated license plate identification technology. Per DCED’s website, “The Keystone Communities Program (KCP) program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort.” The QVCOG submitted a formal application through the DCED which included a resolution (approved by the QVCOG Board of Delegates on May 17, 2023). The QVCOG Police Chiefs Committee convened on June 1st identifying a number of potential locations which will be considered further upon the solicitation of public bids for the project.
Trainings
2-day Active Shooter training
Latent Evidence Camera Training
Initially convening to tour the new Allegheny County Emergency Services Facility, the QVCOG’s Police Chiefs Committee has developed into a comprehensive work-shop group which now meets every other month. Since its inception, the group has identified various issues and needs which has allowed all nine member departments to work together in a collaborative manner to implement solutions to various challenges including staffing and equipment shortages and traffic enforcement. With the assistance of the QVCOG the group has applied for and received grants for shared equipment which can be utilized by all participating agencies (see below). Throughout each grant application shared polices are developed and approved by each participating municipality/department. In addition to the open dialogues within each meeting, there also educational/informational presentations and trainings.
A few of the accomplishments of the group include the following:
Mutual Aid Agreement
In the spring of 2022 the QVCOG Board of Delegates requested that the Police Chiefs Committee review the current Police Mutual Aid Agreement which was approved and enacted in 2009. After two meetings, the Police Chiefs Committee contributed towards and agreed upon an updated mutual aid agreement. At its August 17, 2022 meeting, the QVCOG Board of Delegates approved the structure and language of the Agreement. Highlights of the Agreement include updated verbiage, increased insurance requirements, and the addition of Leet Township and the Quaker Valley Area School District into the pact. The Agreement was unanimously approved by all participating agencies.
Latent Evidence Grant
The QVCOG received two equipment awards from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association totaling $18,813.50 through the "Latent Evidence Improvement Project". These grant awards were used to procure a shared digital camera kit, a 48-inch floor model Safefume CA Fuming Chamber, and a 36-inch floor model Drysafe Evidence Drying Cabinet which may be utilized by our region's 9 Police Departments. The Ohio Township Police Department (serving Aleppo Township, Ben Avon Borough, Emsworth Borough, and Kilbuck Township) is hosting the aforementioned equipment and has stated an intention to train any interested officers on latent fingerprint capture practices.
Mobile Fingerprint Scanner
The QVCOG was selected by the PA Chiefs of Police Association to receive a shared Mobile Fingerprint Scanner which will be made available to all QVCOG police departments. The device is set to be hosted by the Edgeworth Police Department (301 Beaver Road, Edgeworth, PA 15143). The application required that a usage police be approved by all participating departments. The QVCOG was recognized by the PA Chief of Police Association as being the first organization in the state to utilize a shared equipment model (i.e. latent fingerprint grant & mobile fingerprint scanner). The mobile fingerprint scanner requires a cellular connection and software maintenance package ($990 annually) which will absorbed by QVCOG for at least the first year of the partnership.
Keystone Communities Program
Due to the advocacy from Representative Valerie Gaydos (PA-44) the Quaker Valley Council of Governments has been allocated $100,000.00 through the Keystone Communities Program for the procurement, installation, and maintenance of traffic cameras and associated license plate identification technology. Per DCED’s website, “The Keystone Communities Program (KCP) program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort.” The QVCOG submitted a formal application through the DCED which included a resolution (approved by the QVCOG Board of Delegates on May 17, 2023). The QVCOG Police Chiefs Committee convened on June 1st identifying a number of potential locations which will be considered further upon the solicitation of public bids for the project.
Trainings
2-day Active Shooter training
Latent Evidence Camera Training