Chief's Corner

Like many police departments in America today, the South Fayette Township police are responding to rapid social change and emerging issues by creating new ways to connect with their communities. This approach is known as community policing.

We have started many new community-oriented programs within the past two years, such as Project Lifesaver, Coffee with the Chief, Project Teddy Bear and several officer-instructed programs, to name a few. We also recently distributed a Community Outreach Publication covering public safety and police topics. Our department aims to build strong relationships with our residents through these and other programs.

As I continue to develop community-oriented services in South Fayette Township, I consider these four elements of community policing:

1. The philosophy that community policing is important
2. The strategic dimension, which translates that belief into an idea
3. The tactical approach, which turns an idea into a concrete program
4. The organizational dimension, which supports and facilitates implementation of the program

Community policing means we are committed to directing resources to problem solving, and we are accountable to our residents. I am always emphasizing to our officers the merits of community policing and how it relies heavily on citizen involvement in matters that directly affect the safety and quality of life in South Fayette Township. This philosophy bolsters the community feeling that citizens can and will be heard.

Our police department will continue to grow in the spirit and philosophy of community-oriented policing. Residents will continue to have several ways to be heard—at events like Coffee with the Chief and homeowner’s association meetings or through online resources such as Facebook and our website’s anonymous crime tip line.

Find details on our police web page.

Here’s to a happy, safe and wonderful 2017!

Professionally,

John R. Phoennik
Chief of Police
South Fayette Township