The new Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department should be up and running by January.
The department, which combines Warwick, Penn and Clay townships, will serve those areas and continue to work cooperatively with adjacent police departments, such as Lititz and Manheim boroughs.
David Steffen, Warwick Township's police chief, will lead the regional force. He was hired several months ago, with the awareness that the police department would transition to the regional force. The charter was approved in September.
"We are essentially ahead of schedule on every aspect of the transition," Steffen said at the Oct. 19 meeting of the Warwick Township supervisors.
The chief said the graphic designs for the new force are nearly finished.
He said the design was developed for cost effectiveness and safety. The new image will be used on uniforms, badges, signs and police cars.
Steffen also reported that the cars are being repainted for the transition to the new regional force.
Also, officers are working to streamline the organization to prevent duplication of efforts and to collect information in the most efficient manner possible. Work is focusing on developing the administrative side of the force, while conducting a thorough policy review.
"A good deal of work has been done since the charter was passed on Sept. 21," he said.
Steffen said township managers were kept informed so that the municipal officials can work together to address public concerns and ease the transition process.
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