For our third installment of Erie Police Deparment’s Citizens Police Academy, our speakers were Deputy Chief Randy Bowers, Lt. Pat Durkin of motorcycle patrol, Officer Mike Succi, and Cpl. Chris Janus of the Quebec Unit.

Deputy Chief Randy Bowers

Deputy Chief Bowers explained that there are three groups of 32 officers each and they rotate shifts monthly – third shift to second shift to first shift.  They do not have any permanent shifts, although if officers perfer one shift over another, they are permitted to switch between themselves.

All the EPD vehicles are in the process of being upgraded.  They put approximately 50,000 miles per year on each vehicle.  The motorcycle unit just received brand new Harley motorcycles.  Senator Jane Earll and Representative Pat Harkins assisted in securing the funding.

There are currently only three K-9 units, down from 12 several years ago.  There is one K-9 unit assigned to each shift.

There is no formal bicycle patrol anymore, but the Quebec units and the NAT (Neighborhood Action Team) units have bicycles to use in the summer.

9-1-1 is used for emergencies and those calls got to the Erie County 9-1-1 Center and are dispatched from there.

For non-emergencies, City of Erie residents should call either 870-1125 or 870-1118.

Motorcycle Patrol

Lt. Pat Durkin has been on the force for 19 years.  He’s in the motorcycle patrol and they handle traffic-related matters.  There are 11 officers in the motorcycle unit and, in addition to handling traffic enforcements, they are also assigned to special events like Downtown Block Parties and when we have visits from VIPs.

The motorcycle unit in the City of Erie has been in existence since 1911 and motorcycles are normally in service from April 15th through the end of October.  This is extended, weather permitting.  The motorcycle units are in addition to the minimum staffing requirements of the EPD.

Motorcycle officers are assigned a particular motorcycle.  They do not switch motorcycles due to the fact that every motorcycle handle differently.  The officers are responsible for taking care of their motorcycles and are permitted to take them home with them.

In Pennsylvania, individual municipalities are not permitted to use radar for speed control.  Only the Pennsylvania State Police is permitted to use radar.  The Erie Police Department can use the painted-lines-and-stopwatch method and they are permitted to estimate speed.

Some of the common calls they respond to are abandoned vehicles on the road, trailers parked on the street (any trailer parked on the street must be attached to a motor vehicle), traffic accidents, and other parking violations.

There are two types of auto accidents:  reportable and non-reportable.  A reportable accident is one that involves death, injury, or requires a vehicle to be towed.  Non-reportable accidents are minor fender-benders.  Drivers need to just exchange information.  If one driver doesn’t have his/her information or if it is expired or otherwise suspect, the police should be called.

And while we’re on the topic of traffic-related matters, the officers were kind enough to give us a pamphlet detailing how many points you will get for different motor vehicle infractions:

Patrol Officers

Next up was Officer Mike Succi.  Officer Succi described the day-to-day duties of patrol officers, which begins with reporting to the roll call room to receive car and zone assignments.  Once the officers are out on the road, they respond to all calls received – from barking dogs to assaults – and make traffic stops and write reports regarding the calls they are assigned.  While patrol officers will interview victims, witnesses, and suspects, they are initial interviews.  Patrol officers do not do a lot of investigation.  The investigation task is left up to the detectives.

Quebec Unit

The Quebec Unit was commenced in September of 2000 and consists of six officers whose primary function is to patrol the Erie Housing Authority properties (John E. Horan Garden Apartments (a/k/a Franklin Terrace), Harbor Homes, Lake City Dwellings, Harbor Homes Annex, Schmid Towers, Agnes R. Priscaro Apartments, Eastbrook, Bird Drive, Pineview, Friendship Towers, Ostrow Apartments, Curry/Schell Apartments, C. Ted Dombrowski Apartments, and Erie Heights.

The Quebec Unit came into existence  because the Housing Authority wanted to quell the negative stereotype that existed regarding its housing.  They wanted more patrol for these specific areas to help deter crime.  To that end, the Housing Authority obtains grants to pay for the Quebec Unit officers.  However, if additional officers are needed in areas outside the Housing Authority properties, Quebec Unit officers are able to respond to other EPD calls.

The Quebec Unit has consisted of the same six officers for the past eight years.  Having the same officers assigned to this team enables them to become more familiar with the neighborhoods and the residents than if they were constantly rotating officers in and out of the unit.  They are able to cultivate a rapport with some of the residents and they have a limited supply of incentives they can give to kids in the neighborhoods.  For instance, Officer Janus told us that they have stickers and other fun stuff for kids that they can give out at their discretion.  One day, they gave some of these things to a little boy who was wearing his helmet while riding his bike.  The next day, they saw more kids wearing helmets.

And speaking of bikes, the Quebec Unit has the only officers who still use bicycles in the summer.  They received special training in bike patrol and have police bicycles that include lights and sirens.

The Quebec Unit has an office on Housing Authority property.  It used to be located at Franklin Terrace but is now located within the Harbor Homes development.

The officers in the Quebec Unit are officers on patrol that are over and above the EPD minimum staffing requirements.

Some of the advantages of being assigned to the Quebec Unit are that they are able to work permanent shifts and they always drive the same car, which is paid for by the Housing Authority.  In addition to always having the same car, which Officer Janus indicated is a very welcome perk, the Quebec Unit also has more equipment than the other EPD vehicles, because this extra/updated equipment is purchased for them by the Housing Authority.