Serving the community of South Park, PA
The South Park Township Police Department, originally the Snowden Township Police Department, was created in December 1953 and consisted of one (1) part-time officer. One month later, a second part-time office was sworn in. Both men used their own vehicles to patrol the 9.8 square miles of the Township.
The Police Department was given full-time status in 1964, at which time seven (7) officers were sworn in as full-time and three (3) police vehicles were purchased. As the years advanced, so did the Police Department. Additional personnel were hired and additional vehicles were purchased, including an ambulance and other up-to-date law enforcement equipment.
In 1966, Snowden Township was renamed South Park Township. The community continued to grow and in 1977 the Police Department was moved from two small rooms in the Township Administration building to its present location. The Police building contained 3700 square feet of space at the time of the original move but was expanded and remodeled in 1993.
Today, the Police building covers 8000 square feet of area. It contains many advanced features and state-of-the-art equipment including: a complete computer system with terminals in various offices, an arrest-bay garage, a secured processing room, holding cells, a secured evidence room, a large squad room with work stations for patrol officers, separate offices for the Chief, Deputy Chief, and two (2) Sergeants offices and a large combination meeting/training room.
The Police Department utilizes several patrol cars. The marked patrol cars are equipped with AED units, oxygen units, protective screens in the interior of the vehicle, an AR15 automatic weapon less than a lethal shotgun (bean bag), and an AR4 automatic weapon. Each officer carries, along with a side arm, a 40 caliber GLOCK and a taser.
The current Police Department consists of thirteen (13) full-time officers, headed by Chief of Police, Dennis M. McDonough with four (4) Sergeants: Sgt. Dave Starzynski, Sgt. Sean Costa, Sgt. Terry Banas, and Sgt. Shannon Henrich and eight (8) Patrolmen: Joe Pantuso, Bill Stewart, Rich Griffith, Joe Leonetti, Brian Rucienski, Jim Skalican, Jon Booth and Joshua Indof, and a full-time secretary, Denise Murray.
The Department has officers trained in all areas of law enforcement, including POLEX, POSIT, FTO, IDENTIKIT, VASCAR and Accident Reconstruction. It also has an Investigation Unit and a Narcotics Unit (member of Allegheny County District Attorney Office Task Force).
Child Seat Installation Program
Learn more about the Child Seat Installation Program
Two South Park Police Officers are now certified as child safety technicians, Sgt. Terry Banas and Ptlm. Joe Pantuso. The two officers can now locate recalled seats and install every type of child seat into every type of vehicle. The Township of South Park would now like to extend a new service to our residents. To have your child seat checked for recalls and installation problems call us Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm at (412) 833-1000 to make an appointment.
