Williamsport Police Department

The Williamsport Police Department or (WPD) is the police agency responsible for law enforcement and investigations within the City of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Lycoming County. The Williamsport PD is the oldest police department in Lycoming county and Central Pennsylvania. As of 2013 there was about 80 active sworn police officers on the force.

Williamsport Police Department
Common nameWilliamsport Police Department
AbbreviationWPD
Agency overview
Formed1850
Annual budget$9.9 million
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionWilliamsport, Pennsylvania, United States
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters245 West Fourth Street Williamsport, PA 17701
Sworn members79 (As of 2013)
Agency executive
Facilities
Police boats1
Dogs4 German Shepherds

History
Williamsport City Hall behind which the police headquarters and offices are located

The WPD was formed in 1850, Samuel B. Coder was the then-Borough of Williamsport's first police man.[2] Samuel Coder appears to have served in this capacity until the time that Williamsport was incorporated as a city in 1866. The City of Williamsport’s was incorporation on January 15, 1866, with city government organizing through the winter months and into the spring of 1866. Maj. James M. Wood was elected as the city’s first mayor in May 1866. Corresponding changes in city government became necessary so two bodies of councils were formed and it was decided that a regular police force was needed. The appointment of a regular police force was authorized by an Act of Assembly on March 21, 1867 and on June 4, 1866 Chief of Police Alexander M. McFadden was appointed with Samuel B. Coder, Appolos W. Grafius, and George W. Wilkinson all serving as police officers.[3]

In the 145-year history of the city involving dedicated and professional public service to the City of Williamsport by more than 500 Officers who have donned the uniform.

Ranks within the department
Title Symbol Uniform shirt color Notes
Chief
White Head of police. Appointed by city mayor
Asst. Chief
White Appointed by city mayor
Captain White
Criminal Investigator N/A Major crime and homicide investigator
Lieutenant Black Civil police officer
Police officer Black Civil rank police officer
cadet Grey Beginner level of police agency

Vehicles

Branches

Controversy

Homicide by vehicle

In 2014, a Williamsport police officer named Jonathan Deprenda was traveling at 88 miles an hour when his cruiser collided with another car killing a man. State and Williamsport police say Deprenda was on his way to help another cop in a Police chase when he collided with another vehicle causing the other vehicle to catch fire.[4] Officer Deprenda drove almost three times the posted 35 mile an hour speed limit. Later that year the officer was found guilty of homicide by vehicle and Involuntary manslaughter.[5]

Distrust of police

A small sample study done in 2016 by Lycoming College shown that only 9% of young people living in the city distrust the police department.

See also

References
  1. http://www.williamsportpd.org/Pages/Administration.aspx
  2. http://www.williamsportpd.org/Pages/Police%20History.aspx
  3. http://www.williamsportpd.org/Pages/Home.aspx
  4. "Former Officer Admits Guilt in Deadly Crash, Victim's Family Forgives". WNEP.com. 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
  5. "Ex-Williamsport cop pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter". Retrieved 2016-09-10.
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