Ford City joins Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department
The Ford City Police Department is no more.
Borough leaders voted last month to abolish their police department this year and join the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department, which includes Gilpin, Freeport and, as of Sunday, Ford City.
The force held an official pinning ceremony and first shift ceremony Oct. 13 at the Gilpin Municipal Building.
It’s the first regional police department in Armstrong County.
“I’m excited to welcome Ford City Borough, their officers and their appointed representatives to our regional department. I’m looking forward to our growth and ability to better serve all participating municipalities as the door remains open for future growth and development,” said Gilpin Supervisor Charles Stull.
Ford City Borough received two permanent seats on the Regional Commission.
Ford City Council President Carol Fenyes and Councilman Bryan Gilbertson were appointed to serve as commission representatives.
Coverage in all three communities will remain the same, with at least one officer on patrol 24/7 in each town.
Before the merger, Ford City did not have 24/7 police coverage.
Ford City has just under 2,800 residents.
“I think it’s the up-and-coming of police work,” said Lt. Scott Haslett, former Ford City chief of police. “Budget reasons are the biggest push. The salary and benefits for the officers, stability of the departments and opportunity for advancement and moving up in the ranks are better with a larger department.”
The addition of Ford City brings the department to 11 full-time and three part-time officers.
“I’m excited. It gives me an opportunity to serve and learn more. Residents and business owners in Ford City have been commenting and reaching out saying they’re happy about this because the state police are up there but they’re busy,” Haslett said.
Haslett, 37, graduated from the former Kittanning High School in 2004.
He’s served in law enforcement for 17 years.
The cost breakdown for each community is Ford City 38%, Gilpin 36% and Freeport 26%.
The department’s total yearly budget is just under $900,000.
Ford City’s 2022 police operating budget was about $467,000, according to Haslett.
Chief Christopher Fabec said Ford City contributed start-up costs for items such as signage on cars.
“I think Ford City is a great addition into the regional department. We gained great resources and amazing officers and Rudy will be patrolling all three communities,” Fabec said.
Rudy is a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois police dog who joined the Gilpin Police Department in 2019.
Fabec said another municipality could join the regional department in the near future.
“It could happen. We’ve been in talks with another municipality,” Fabec said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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