Chief of the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department D.F. Pace is seen addressing those in attendance at the Exeter Borough building on July 14 after being named to head the new force.
Times Leader file photo
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The New Year will see the state’s newest police force go into service when officers with the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department begin their shifts today.
The department that’s been a year in the making will cover the municipalities of Exeter, Exeter Township, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming. Chief D.F. Pace, a 22-year-veteran of the Philadelphia Police force who was selected by the 10-member commission of representatives from the participating municipalities, looked forward to the historic start and hearing from residents in the coverage area.
“The department’s public safety services will be driven by professionalism and shaped in large part by input received from them. To that end, I encourage community members to share their ideas, concerns and needs with us,” Pace said Friday in an email.
The department will temporarily be headquartered at the West Pittston Police Department until it can move into the former Pennsylvania State Police Troop P barracks on Wyoming Avenue in Wyoming. To begin with the department is slated to have 16 full-time officers and a few part-time officers. It’s still hiring.
“We invite applications from all qualified persons who would like to join a progressive, community-oriented, professional department committed to 21st century policing strategies. Applicants with an Act 120 certification could be hired immediately,” Pace said.
For the time being the department will also be using West Pittston Police Facebook page. Pace explained the page already has “healthy following” and it will be renamed eventually to reflect the the department’s regional scope.
While it’s getting the word out by social media, Pace will be meeting with residents to hear what they have to say.
“I’m going to hold listening sessions at a location in each of the municipalities on a rotating basis. We’ll use municipal buildings, firehouses, local eateries; anywhere it would be easy for community members to meet and speak with me. Locations will be published on our Facebook page soon,” Pace said.
Officers will accompany Pace at the sessions so the residents can meet them. “Community engagement is important to me,” Pace said.
For anyone who wants to contact him directly, Pace provided his email, [email protected].
Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.