Erie Police Dept.

Law EnforcementPennsylvania, United States51-200 Employees

The City Charter of 1851 organized the Erie Police Department. In 1856, the Erie Police Department consisted of the Chief of Police and three Patrolmen. By 1888, the compliment grew to 25 Officers, who walked foot patrols throughout the City of Erie. There was one horse drawn wagon, which was used to transport prisoners. Some officers used bicycles to patrol the City of Erie and were called “Roundsmen”.

     Between the years of 1938 through 1941, the Erie Police attempted to meet the FBI’s National Standard of two police officers per 1,000 residents. The compliment of police officers rose to 136 officers during this time. The City of Erie was broken down into six patrol areas, which were patrolled by Officers in patrol cars, 12 Motorcycles Units, who began to focus on traffic enforcement and ten Officers walking on foot mostly in the downtown area.

     Training for Police Officers was limited and mostly based on life experience, until 1960, when the City formed the Erie Police Academy. Currently, all Officers are required to complete a six month police academy through the Municipal Police Officers Training & Education Center (MPOTEC). Officers are also required to attend yearly legal updates to the six-month course, in order to maintain their status as a Police Officer.

     The first computerized police record system, called PIDAS was instituted in 1985. In 1996, the Erie Police Department received several federal grants allowing police to switch from the PIDAS to AEGIS computer system, dictation for officer reporting, desktop computers and laptop computers for patrol cars allowing officer more accessibility to police records. In 1997, it was replaced with the AEGIS system. This made it easier for the police to keep better records, review reports and track criminal activity.

     Over the last 30 years, the Erie Police Dept. has been rapidly upgrading all its equipment and training to ensure the safety of the residents of the City of Erie.  The Erie Police Dept. uses practices from the Civil Service Commission to hire officers.  The Civil Service test is given every two years on even ending years.  

     Currently the Erie Police Department consists of 173 active police officers.

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