history
On April 11, 1947, the Township Supervisors noted that various requests had been received from local taxpayers for Police protection within the Township. After a discussion with Justice of the Peace W. Ray Clawser and Township Constable David S. Shuey, the Supervisors appointed Mr. Shuey as "Township Police" for protection to people and property, subject however to the approval of the Court." A petition was circulated amongst the residents and returned at the July 9th 1947 Township meeting. The minutes indicated that Mr. Shuey was officially appointed as the Township's first police officer. This was a job he would hold on a part-time basis, providing his own vehicle for patrols. He was to secure a uniform, police fender spotlight and siren at an approximate cost of $125.00. The policing duties of Mr. Shuey were set at 20 hours per week more or less and that policing the Township would commence as soon as the necessary equipment was purchased. It was also noted that no partiality would be shown to anyone, even the Supervisors themselves.
Additional police protection was provided in 1948 when the Township Supervisors approved the hiring of Theodore Schell as Mr. Shuey's assistant. His uniform, badge, siren and police light were to be furnished by the Township and provided a salary of a $1.00 per hour, including the mileage driven.
A motion was made and passed in February 1957 to increase the pay for the Chief of Police to $1.50 per hour, while the other police officers were increased to $1.25 per hour.
At the October 1960 meeting, an agreement was made to purchase three, two-way radios for the Township police force. The cost of the radios would be reimbursed by the County Civil Defense.
After a long association with law enforcement in South Londonderry Township, David Shuey asked to be relieved from his post as Chief of Police, effective April 1st 1966. A letter of resignation was received on March 02, 1966, from Mr. Shuey and a motion to accept his resignation was approved. Theodore Shell was eventually made Chief of Police.
On July 05, 1967, the Board discussed full time police protection and a petition from residents was presented for the same. The Supervisors hired Mr. Norman F. Daub on a trial basis, with the Supervisors responsible for designating his duties. Also, during this meeting the resignation of Chief Theodore Schell was received.
The discussion of a full time police officer continued for a few years afterward. A committee was formed and finally in January 1972, a report was given regarding better police protection. Recommendations presented were to hire one full time police officer at 48 hours per week, on call at all times with residency within the Township and two part time officers. A motion was made and carried to accept the recommendation.
At the March 1972 meeting, the Township solicitor read a resolution authorizing a purchase of the first Township owned police car, a 1972 Plymouth Fury, under Act #31 known as the "piggy-back" law from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With the establishment of a full time officer, the police force continued its growth and by 1975 the police force had grown to three full time officers. Meanwhile, in August 1978 the first rules and regulations manual were adopted for the Police Department.
In 1990, a fourth full time officer was hired as well as a part time secretary to assist the officers with the growing amount of reports. By 1995, the police force had grown to include one more police officer as a result of the COPS hiring program, established by then President William Clinton.
Today, the police department consists of the Chief of Police, two sergeants, a detective, five full-time patrol officers, K-9 Freyja, and two part time secretaries. In addition to providing local police service within the Township, members of the department participate in the Drug Task Force, DUI sobriety enforcement program and COPS in Shops. These programs are administered by the Lebanon County District Attorney's Office. We also participate in the countywide S.W.A.T. (Team), the South Central Task Force (an 8 county regional force which would respond to statewide emergencies), and the Lebanon County S.T.A.R.T. (Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team). In August of 2017, the Police Department was relocated to the current facility at 27 West Market Street, Palmyra, PA.
Additional police protection was provided in 1948 when the Township Supervisors approved the hiring of Theodore Schell as Mr. Shuey's assistant. His uniform, badge, siren and police light were to be furnished by the Township and provided a salary of a $1.00 per hour, including the mileage driven.
A motion was made and passed in February 1957 to increase the pay for the Chief of Police to $1.50 per hour, while the other police officers were increased to $1.25 per hour.
At the October 1960 meeting, an agreement was made to purchase three, two-way radios for the Township police force. The cost of the radios would be reimbursed by the County Civil Defense.
After a long association with law enforcement in South Londonderry Township, David Shuey asked to be relieved from his post as Chief of Police, effective April 1st 1966. A letter of resignation was received on March 02, 1966, from Mr. Shuey and a motion to accept his resignation was approved. Theodore Shell was eventually made Chief of Police.
On July 05, 1967, the Board discussed full time police protection and a petition from residents was presented for the same. The Supervisors hired Mr. Norman F. Daub on a trial basis, with the Supervisors responsible for designating his duties. Also, during this meeting the resignation of Chief Theodore Schell was received.
The discussion of a full time police officer continued for a few years afterward. A committee was formed and finally in January 1972, a report was given regarding better police protection. Recommendations presented were to hire one full time police officer at 48 hours per week, on call at all times with residency within the Township and two part time officers. A motion was made and carried to accept the recommendation.
At the March 1972 meeting, the Township solicitor read a resolution authorizing a purchase of the first Township owned police car, a 1972 Plymouth Fury, under Act #31 known as the "piggy-back" law from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With the establishment of a full time officer, the police force continued its growth and by 1975 the police force had grown to three full time officers. Meanwhile, in August 1978 the first rules and regulations manual were adopted for the Police Department.
In 1990, a fourth full time officer was hired as well as a part time secretary to assist the officers with the growing amount of reports. By 1995, the police force had grown to include one more police officer as a result of the COPS hiring program, established by then President William Clinton.
Today, the police department consists of the Chief of Police, two sergeants, a detective, five full-time patrol officers, K-9 Freyja, and two part time secretaries. In addition to providing local police service within the Township, members of the department participate in the Drug Task Force, DUI sobriety enforcement program and COPS in Shops. These programs are administered by the Lebanon County District Attorney's Office. We also participate in the countywide S.W.A.T. (Team), the South Central Task Force (an 8 county regional force which would respond to statewide emergencies), and the Lebanon County S.T.A.R.T. (Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team). In August of 2017, the Police Department was relocated to the current facility at 27 West Market Street, Palmyra, PA.
