Ghudzi "Goose" K-9 officer was used 121 times for narcotics detection,
officer safety issues and searches for missing people.
      This department maintained an average response time of 8.31 minutes for studied police responses and general calls for service.

SOME FACTS:
Throughout the last quarter of 1950 and the first quarter of 1951, Sugarcreek Township Supervisors received a number of delegations from various interest groups suggesting the consideration of creating a police department.

On December 6, 1950, a petition was presented to the Sugarcreek Township supervisors from Reno citizens calling for the provision of Police Service. Following are some important dates in the Police Department History:

On September 9, 1952, Frank Brown, a Venango County Deputy Sheriff, was employed on a 30 day trial basis.

No decision action was taken over the next year regarding Brown's permanent employment, but he continued to be "re-appointed" for 30 and 60 day periods.

July 3, 1953, Clarence O'Shall was appointed as second officer and in January of 1954, both officers were re-appointed through March 15, 1954.

In 1955, two additional officers were appointed and in 1956 the first cruiser (a 1956 Ford) was purchased.

On November 7, 1956, the Rocky Grove PTA formally approached to Board with a request for "a more active Police Department."

Over the remaining years of the '50s, the complement of part-time officers grew so that the number of officers averaged 5 or 6.

On July 13, 1957, Police Chief Charles E. McNany was killed in the line of duty in a traffic accident along Route 8. Officer Edwin Johnson was injured in the accident. He was later promoted to Chief of Police.

In the early 60's, the average number of active, part-time officers rose to eight.

January 6, 1964 Supervisor Roy Flickner was named to "direct" the efforts of the Police Department.

Between 1966 and 1968, area citizens asked for more police services including patrols, business checks and traffic control.

A second cruiser was purchased in 1968. A Captain and two Lieutenants was named in the same year.

Approval was granted regarding the service of Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department fire police officers as auxiliary Township officers. Five VFD officers were named to augment the Police Department on as "as needed" basis.

1970 was a year that marked the beginning of wholesale appointments and resignations, a trend that continued for 11 years.

It was also the year in which Council (the Township gained Borough Status in 1969) began deliberations regarding a full-time police department.

It was noted on October 10, 1971 that the Borough had "24 hours/day, 7 days/week" police coverage and that the force has been "expanded" to meet increased service demands.

In November 1971, 21 Rocky Grove VFD police officers were appointed as Police Department auxiliary officers.

On May 15, 1972, Lt. Rugh, Sugarcreek Borough Police Department, requested Council to consider the employment of additional officers due to an increasing work load.

The next month, it was reported that the PA Crime Commission would partially fund a full-time Police Department in the Borough by covering a percentage of wages over the first three years and the costs of necessary building expansion and additional equipment. However, no action was taken on this funding program.

September 4, 1973, Charles R. Tarr was appointed Chief of Police. He was the first full-time officer employed by the Township / Borough.

With the increased commitment to the provision of police services and the costs of that service, Council members as well as the public began to question the wisdom of the small municipality trying to staff its own Police Department.

A study by the state Department of Community Affairs showed the Borough had no need for a police force because the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), under "normal operations" assigned at least one PSP patrol unit to the Borough on a 24 hour basis.

The study also showed that five more full-time officers would be required with a minimum cost of $90,000.

Recommendations called for the present Sugarcreek Police Department to be delegated to the status of an auxiliary department to the state police, for the chief to be retained as a code enforcement officer and traffic officer and that part-time officers be used for policing athletic and social functions in the borough.

The close of 1974 saw a request from department members for more staff or the reduction of patrol hours to personnel constraints. Robert Gorman, a state policeman who commanded the Franklin Barracks, advised Council that the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department should be the primary provider of police services in the Borough.

Chief Tarr sought the elevation of the Captain's position to full time status with eight part-time officers. At the time he was the only full-time officer. The part-time complement stood at 12.

On January 15, 1975, Captain Gil Frankenberger was granted full-time status.

Coverage was set at 18 hours per day. There were seven part-time officers.

1976 saw the continuatation of the new hires and resignations, the adoption of a pension plan for the two full-time officers and some discussions among Council regarding the employment of a third full-time officer.

Late in 1977, Council furloughed all part-time staff due to a budget over-run.

Several officers left the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department for other departments during 1979, 1980 and 1981.

A mutual aid agreement was executed between the City of Franklin and Borough in 1979. A new communications system, a Breathalyzer and the ESP speed timing device were bought in this year.

In 1980, a mutual aid pact was established with Sandycreek Township.

In 1981, the Police Department has a staff of two full-time and nine part-time officers.

Council approved the creation of a "reserve component" within the Police Department during 1982, as well as the extension of the Borough's insurance coverage for its officers.

A third vehicle was bought and the ESP unit was sold. A VASCAR-Plus speed timing instrument was purchased.

The close of 1983 saw the authorization of three more full-time officers.

The Sugarcreek Crime Watch organization was established in 1984. There are more than 400 members. The program also provides an annual scholarship award in memory of Chief Charles E. McNany.

In 1985, Chief Tarr resigned his position to return to the U.S. Army

By 1995, five part-time officers were given full-time status.

In 1996, Officer Matthew Carlson was assigned the duties of Zoning Officer for the Borough of Sugarcreek, while still fulfilling his patrol duties.

In November of 1996, the Borough hired its first female officer, Melissa Bingman, who has since left to join ranks with the Franklin Police Department.

In April of 2003, the Police Department added an additional officer to its ranks, Szultan, a 14-month-old German Shepherd was purchased as a patrol/narcotics dog. The monies for the dog were fronted by the Borough of Sugarcreek and will be completely funded by the Sugarcreek Crime Watch, Inc. membership, through the utilization of monies from trusts, grants, and other raffle type activities. Szultan will be no cost to the citizenry of Sugarcreek Borough. Szultan and his handler, Lieutenant Ryan Ashbaugh, went in May of 2003 for training and are now certified.

November 2006, K-9 Officer Szultan was killed in an off-duty accident.

April 2007, Chief of Police Rick Baker retired from the police force.

Mark Whitman took over as Chief of Police.

In 2009, Chief Whitman retired.

Matthew Carlson became Chief of Police and Officer Jarrod Deeter became the new Zoning Officer while still performing his patrol duties.

October 2010, Senior Patrolman Frank D. Heller retired from the police force.