Below you will find information on recent activity involving the Penn Hills Police Department, as well as information on current events happening around the municipality that our department may be involved with. This is not a list outlining all police calls for service and incident descriptions, though, at times, we may deem it necessary to post information or photos seeking tips on unsolved crimes or missing persons.
The Penn Hills Police Department is no longer accepting applications.
The Municipality of Penn Hills is no longer accepting applications to participate in the upcoming selection process for the position of Police Officer. Please check back at a later date for future announcements.
NHTSA – Car Seat and Booster Seat Information
Please visit the link below for information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relating to car seats and booster seats.
Sgt. William Schrott & Ofc. Bartley Connolly | End of Watch: 03/25/1972
On Saturday, March 25, 1972, Sergeant William Schrott and Officer Bartley Connolly Jr. were killed in the line of duty while serving with the Penn Hills Police Department. They were the first Penn Hills police officers to lose their lives in service to our community.
We will always remember Sergeant Schrott and Officer Connolly for making the ultimate sacrifice serving the residents of Penn Hills. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families on this 49th anniversary of their passing.
Canine Joker EOW: 02/02/1987
Today we take a moment to reflect on the passing of Penn Hills police Canine Joker, who loyally served our community until his death in the line of duty.
Joker was three years old when his police service was cut short, only working for one year with his handler, Officer Paul Schawalder.
Joker’s memory will forever remain in our hearts. He was a faithful and loyal four-legged servant who loved coming to work to take a bite out of crime!
Officer Down Memorial Page – Joker
Michael Crawshaw EOW: 12/06/2009
Today marks the eleventh anniversary of Michael Crawshaw’s untimely death in the line of duty, while serving the citizens of Penn Hills. As we reflect on Michael’s passing, we remember a young man who devoted his life to service, without contemplating or worrying about the risks he took daily to protect others, including his colleagues.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family and friends. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of his fellow officers with the Penn Hills and University of Pittsburgh police departments. Thank you for your service, Michael.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13
Penn Hills Partners With Savvy Citizen™
Recently, the Municipality of Penn Hills partnered with Savvy Citizen™, a Pittsburgh-based notification program that allows localities to send out important messages to their communities. Citizens can participate for free to receive these messages.
A free mobile app can be downloaded by visiting Google Play (Android users) or the App Store (IOS users). You can register for your free Savvy Citizen™ account by using the mobile app, or through the company’s online registration page.
Upon registering for an account, select which communities you would like to receive notifications from. When information is posted, you will receive the notification immediately.
School Bus Safety
We want to take a moment to remind motorists of the laws concerning school buses. Now that the school year is beginning, it is imperative that drivers pay attention to stopped school buses picking up and dropping off students.
Passing a stopped school bus with its red signals activated and stop sign extended may result in a $250.00 fine, five (5) demerit points added to your driving record, a sixty (60) day driver’s suspension, and increased insurance premiums when your policy renews.
Also, the police need not be present to witness the violation. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code permits school bus drivers to forward written reports of violations to police, allowing officers to issue citations to violators.
Fundraiser Thank You!
We wanted to take a moment and thank everyone that attended last week’s canine fundraising event at McDonald’s. The event was very successful, and that directly results from the support we received from the community. A special thanks to McDonald’s franchisee Roy Draper, for sponsoring this event and donating proceeds from his restaurant’s sales to assist with the purchase of a new police service dog.
2019 “Be a Fan” Law Enforcement Torch Run
On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, several Penn Hills police officers took part in the 2019 “Be a Fan” Law Enforcement Torch Run. The 150+ mile run started at home plate in PNC Park and will finish today at Penn State University in State College, PA. The purpose of the event is to raise money, support, and awareness for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the athletes who take part in the games.
Special Olympics segments the run into three days and it includes over fifty law enforcement teams throughout the state. Our agency committed to “own” one of the fifty-three segments of the course and has done so since this event returned to the area in 2011. Our portion of the course began on Business Route 22 at the Sheetz in Wilkins Township and finished at the first Sheetz coming into Monroeville.
A special thanks to Vigliotti Landscape & Construction, a Penn Hills’ business, for sponsoring our leg of the run. We greatly appreciated your support for the cause!
Remembering K-9 Riggs
On May 2, 2019 Officer Ryan Walters lost his partner K9 Riggs to an unexpected bout with cancer. We immediately received an outpouring of support from the community; especially from those who appreciate the tremendous value police service dogs offer to the communities they serve.
As an iconic restaurant, McDonald’s has served Penn Hills’ residents with their delicious burgers and crispy French fries for decades. In a much appreciated gesture, they have reached out to us to extend their support to our agency.
Please join our canine handlers and their four-legged partners on June 6, 2019 at the McDonald’s on Saltsburg Road for a special fundraiser that benefits the PHPD Canine Division. McDonald’s will donate 20% of all food sales between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM to assist with the purchase of a new police service dog.
Stop past for the famous fast food you love and help us as we begin our search to find Officer Walters a new best friend to patrol Penn Hills with!
