Harrisburg Bureau of Police

Harrisburg Bureau of Police is a medium-sized city police department in South Central Pennsylvania serving the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg has the fourth largest police department in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with 175 sworn peace officers and over 100 vehicles.[1]

Harrisburg Bureau of Police
Agency overview
Formed1898
Jurisdictional structure
Size335.4 sq mi (539.7 km2)
Population49,229 (2018)
Operational structure
Headquarters123 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1618
Officers175
Support & administration staffs81
Agency executive
  • Thomas Carter, Police Commissioner
Website
http://harrisburgpa.gov/bureau-of-police/

History

Vehicles

In the past, HBP operated an all Chevrolet fleet. The fleet consisted of Chevrolet Caprice PPV sedans and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV SUV used for K-9 patrols. In 2016, HBP revealed new Ford patrol vehicles as well as a new paint scheme, ditching the dark blue with yellow lettering for a more traditional black and white cars. Originally, the new scheme was only on new vehicles being introduced, while older Chevy units retained the old colors (until entirely withdrawn from service three months later). Currently, the department utilizes Ford Police Interceptor Utility, Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Ford Transit Prisoner Transport vehicles.

Agency structure and units

Agency structure

The current police commissioner is Thomas Carter.[2][3]

Units
  • Motor Patrol
  • Foot Patrol
  • K-9
  • Gang
  • Motorcycle
  • Bike
  • Boat Patrol
  • School Resource Officers
  • Auto Theft Task Force
  • Major Crimes
  • Homicide

Fallen officers

As of July 2020, seven Harrisburg Bureau of Police officers lost their lives on duty:

Rank Name End of Watch Cause of death Ref
Patrol Officer Charles Humphrey 5 September 1907 Killed in cow stampede [4]
Patrol Officer Lewis C. Hipple 23 June 1916 Shot and killed while attempting to detain two men [5]
Patrol Officer Melvin W. Kepford 30 October 1918 Struck and killed by vehicle while directing traffic [6]
Patrol Officer Cloyd L. Hearn 13 November 1934 Struck and killed by vehicle while on foot patrol [7]
Patrol Officer Barry P. Karper 20 July 1963 Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle [8]
Patrol Officer Joseph J. O'Shura 20 July 1963 Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle [9]
Detective Corporal John Robert Christian Jr. 18 April 1978 Shot and killed by robbery suspect [10]

See also

References
  1. Editorial, Pennlive (2019-05-19). "Harrisburg police should respect the people they are called to serve | PennLive Editorial". pennlive. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  2. "Bureau of Police". City of Harrisburg. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  3. "Chief's Message". CRIMEWATCH. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  4. "Patrol Officer Charles Humphrey". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  5. "Patrol Officer Lewis C. Hipple". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  6. "Patrol Officer Melvin W. Kepford". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  7. "Patrol Officer Cloyd L. Hearn". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  8. "Patrol Officer Barry Penrose Karper". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  9. "Patrol Officer Joseph John O'Shura". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  10. "Detective Corporal John Robert Christian, Jr". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
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