Police

Contact the Butler Township Police Department at 570-788-4111

from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or call 911 after hours or in case of emergency.

The Butler Township Police Department provides services to residents and businesses in the township seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The department, which includes Chief of Police William Feissner and other officers, patrols an area over 36 square miles that includes about 85 miles of state and local roads. The department also provides assistance to local, state, and federal agencies at their request.

The mission of the Butler Township Police Department is to provide the community with the highest quality of law enforcement services. The department strives to continually improve the public’s perception of community safety through eradication of criminal activity and any conditions that have a detrimental impact on public safety.

The police department builds upon its tradition of excellence in service to all. The department continues to seek support and cooperation from the community it serves and from those who serve the community. The organizational culture is responsive to new ideas and is one in which all employees are given the opportunity to develop to their highest potential and see themselves as agents of change. Members of the department base all their relationships on the premise that the public and police are one.

The police department participates with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR). Crimes are divided into Part I offenses, which are serious crimes, and Part II offenses, which are less serious crimes.   The department is also part of the Mid-Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network (MAGLOCLEN). MAGLOCLEN, administered by the US Department of Justice, provides intelligence databases, equipment, analytical products and training in a combined effort with other member agencies nationwide and internationally. 

Each officer specializes in various aspects of policing. Officers have received in-depth training in criminal, accident and fire/arson investigations.

Since 2007, an officer has received specialized training concerning school violence. The training encompasses not only the tactical response, but also the psychological factors that precipitate an event. This information has been shared with teaching staff and community groups though presentations. The department has also taken the concepts and adapted them to combating workplace violence.

Department members are required to receive 12 hours of continuing education provided by the municipal Police Officers Training and Education Commission. In addition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid skills and firearms training must be kept current. Department members are certified twice per year by an in-house instructor with their on-duty weapon, off-duty weapon and department shotgun. Officers are also required to be certified in less-lethal weapons such as oleoresium capsicum, batons and tasers.  Specialized training and certification relating to the department rifle is provided during the year.

Each department member is allowed to attend non-mandatory training whenever it is possible. Due to the size of the department, information obtained during these courses is shared with other members to provide the department with the most current tactics and methods of policing.