Canine Teams

This unit is under the direction of Sergeant Kevin A. Smith.

The South Whitehall Township Police Department has two canine teams who are certified in narcotics detection and patrol duty.

Sergeant Kevin Smith and K9 Drax (left)

K9 Drax, a Belgian Malinois, was born in Holland in February 2017 and was partnered with Sergeant Smith almost a year later.  He is trained in narcotics detention and patrol.  In his off time, K9 Drax loves to play ball in his back yard.

Sergeant Colin Beaumont and K9 Kyra (right)

K9 Kyra was born in January of 2017 in Holland and is a Dutch Shepherd.  K9 Kyra started her career with the South Whitehall Township Police Department as an explosive detection canine and then transitioned to narcotics detection.  Officer Beaumont and K9 Kyra have been involved in successful multi-jurisdictional operations and have assisted with the apprehension of a wanted fugitive.  In her off time, K9 Kyra enjoys playing with her toys and sleeping on the sofa.

Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

 This unit is under the direction of Sergeant Colin D. Beaumont.

The South Whitehall Township Police Department participates in the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) is a federal grant program that provides financial assistance to states to reduce the number and severity of accidents and hazardous material incidents involving commercial motor vehicles. The goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles through consistent, uniform and effective safety programs. Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania there are approximately 300 MCSAP certified inspectors who are municipal police officers. Our department currently has one certified officer who participates in this program. In addition to the basic truck inspections our officer has special training to allow him to conduct inspections of motor coaches and buses. This enforcement is primarily conducted at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

In addition to the participation in the MCSAP program the police department has four officers who are certified to conduct weights and measures enforcement. Weights and measures enforcement is basically enforcing sections of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code pertaining to vehicle weights and lengths. The certified officers utilize portable scales and platforms scales within the township to enforce the laws. This is important to ensure safe and effective operation of vehicles as they travel through the township and also to maintain the infrastructure of township roads.

The South Whitehall Township Police MCSAP officer regularly works along with officers from other jurisdictions when conducting truck inspections.

Lehigh County Regional DUI Task Force

Coordinator - Sergeant George J. Hummel / Assistant Coordinator - Sergeant Kevin R. Edelheiser

The Lehigh County Regional DUI Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional cooperative law enforcement effort to implement sustained DUI enforcement activities. The Task Force is funded by a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant which is administered by the South Whitehall Police Department.

The Task Force participates in a statewide initiative to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on highways caused by intoxicated and chemically impaired drivers. The Task Force conducts sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols on area roadways known to experience a high level of alcohol-related accidents and/or arrests. The Task Force also conducts mobile Awareness Patrols to gather traffic flow data and gain public exposure. The Task Force participates in numerous community events to help educate the public about the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol and controlled substances and the impact it has on everyone involved.

The Task Force is comprised of 14 Lehigh County police departments and works closely with the Allentown Police Department and the Pennsylvania State police in joint task force efforts. We have made contact with thousands of motorists and have apprehended hundreds of impaired drivers over nearly two decades of dedicated and uninterrupted service. Our goal is to reduce impaired driving by increasing public awareness of the problems associated with impaired driving and to increase public perception of the fear of apprehension of driving while impaired.

Lehigh County Emergency Response Team

The Lehigh County Emergency Response Team (ERT) started in 2002 and currently consists of more than 50 members in the following units: Communications, Hostage Negotiation Team, Oversight Committee Members, Tactical EMS, Tactical Dispatchers and Tactical Team Members. The Tactical Team is comprised of police officers from different municipalities throughout Lehigh County. South Whitehall Township Police Department currently has five (5) officers assigned to the ERT. All five members are qualified Operators and are an integral part of the team.

The mission of the Lehigh County ERT is to support any local, state and federal law enforcement agency by providing a tactical response to critical incidents. ERT is used for challenging situations that require the use of specialized weapons, equipment, and tactics to resolve effectively, with the safest outcome for all parties involved. Some examples of when the team would be used include; barricaded persons, hostage situations, and high-risk search warrants. The members of the Tactical Team attend training at least two per month along with their regular patrol duties.

Bicycle Patrol

This unit is under the direction of Sergeant Kevin R. Edelheiser.

The South Whitehall Township Police Department’s Bicycle Patrol Unit was instituted in 2001. It consists of eighteen (18) officers who are all certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).  These officers spend portions of their assigned shifts patrolling the residential sections and park areas of the Township on bicycle, bringing a more personal presence to the neighborhoods.  Bicycle officers also work special assignments such as the Dorney Park Firework shows, South Whitehall Township Concerts in Park, as well as weekend patrols of the Covered Bridge Park and Jordan Creek Greenway.

Bicycle patrol provides greater visibility in high crime areas that are more difficult to patrol by motor vehicle, including parks, retail centers, and trails. Officers have easier access to congested areas than officers in motor vehicles and cover a larger area than officers on foot.  Bicycles offer an effective approach to crime surveillance due to their decreased visibility.

  Bicycle Patrol Duties:

• Patrol support
• Response to calls for service
• Narcotics enforcement
• Traffic enforcement
• Community policing
• Special details
• Bicycle safety education
• Special events
• Undercover surveillance