The Upper Allen Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency dedicated to protecting Upper Allen Township, which includes the villages of Shepherdstown, Bowmansdale, and Grantham in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Located in central Pennsylvania and part of The Greater Harrisburg Metropolitan Area, the township is bisected by US Route 15 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76). It is home to various national businesses, Messiah University, and Messiah Lifeways.
The department comprises 26 sworn officers who serve over 24,000 residents across approximately 13.3 square miles. Equipped with modern technology for 21st-century policing, their fleet includes marked and unmarked vehicles with Tracker units for speed enforcement, mobile video recording equipment, cellular telephones, and mobile data terminals for e-citations and access to law enforcement databases. The department utilizes the Crime Network (cNET), a web-based platform for information exchange among Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies. Upper Allen Police Officers are also trained as first responders to medical emergencies and are equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Committed to continuous improvement, the department operates with a conservative annual budget that supports updated equipment and comprehensive officer training. Many officers hold specialized training, certifications as police instructors, and college or graduate degrees, ensuring a highly skilled and professional force. The Upper Allen Police Department maintains its core values of integrity, professionalism, and service, and is transparent in its activities through its website, email alerts, and social media.
The department has achieved full accreditation status from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC), reflecting its adherence to best practices in policing. Annual statistics for calls for service, crimes investigated, arrests, and other key metrics are regularly compiled and available. The Upper Allen Police Department stands as an established leader in central Pennsylvania, actively networking with other law enforcement agencies at federal, state, and local levels.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Upper Allen Police Department is to enhance the quality of life throughout Upper Allen Township by working cooperatively with all of our citizens to preserve the peace, enforce the law, reduce the perception of fear, and provide a safe and caring environment.
Statement of Values
We, the men and women of the Upper Allen Township Police Department, have chosen to dedicate ourselves to a career in public service. In doing so, we have taken upon ourselves many awesome responsibilities and occasional hardships. In return, we reap the satisfaction of truly making a difference in the quality of life for those we serve.
As members of the of the Upper Allen Township Police Department we value:
Honesty and Integrity. Expect the members of the Department to have strength of character; conduct ourselves in an exemplary manner and carry out their duties guided by high moral and ethical standards.
Responsibility and Accountability. Are responsible for our actions and we strive at all times to ensure our behavior earns the support and trust of those we serve.
Teamwork and Inspired Leadership. Do not accept mediocrity. We use innovation and creativity to address the issues in our community. We realize that each member of our team is also an individual who brings with them unique strengths and experiences that can contribute to our collective success. We encourage the participation of each member to solve issues and expect their commitment to make a positive contribution to our Department and community.
Personal and Professional Development. Encourage personal development through continued training and involvement in professional organizations dedicated to enhancing the law enforcement experience. We are committed to providing quality recruitment, education and professional training for our Department members.
Reverence for all Laws. Our society is founded upon the principle of the rule of law. No individual is above the law and no individual is below the law, nor do we ask anyone permission when we require them to obey the law. We recognize the need to support and enforce the law without malice or prejudice. We obey the letter and support the spirit of the laws we are sworn to enforce.
Sense of Community. Encourage and appreciate participation by our citizens addressing the issues that affect the community. We always strive to be open and understanding when addressing their interests or concerns. We view ourselves as partners with our community, with the common goal of improving the quality of life in Upper Allen Township.
Diversity. Treat the members of the community and members of our Department with respect and strive at all time to be objective and impartial. We respect the civil and human rights of all. We do not act selectively towards groups or individuals based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation, or belief system.
We value our place in the community and the one goal we share with our citizens is to make Upper Allen Township a safe and enjoyable place to live, work and play.
Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession–Law Enforcement.
