Harrisburg Bureau of Police


Harrisburg Bureau of Police is a medium-sized city police department in South Central Pennsylvania serving the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg has the fourth largest police department in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with 175 sworn peace officers and over 100 vehicles.

History

Vehicles

In the past, HBP operated an all Chevrolet fleet. The fleet consisted of Chevrolet Caprice PPV sedans and Chevrolet Tahoe PPV SUV used for K-9 patrols. In 2016, HBP revealed new Ford patrol vehicles as well as a new paint scheme, ditching the dark blue with yellow lettering for a more traditional black and white cars. Originally, the new scheme was only on new vehicles being introduced, while older Chevy units retained the old colors. Currently, the department utilizes Ford Police Interceptor Utility, Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Ford Transit Prisoner Transport vehicles.

Agency structure and units

Agency structure

The current police commissioner is Thomas Carter.

Units

As of , seven Harrisburg Bureau of Police officers lost their lives on duty:
RankNameEnd of WatchCause of deathRef
Patrol OfficerCharles Humphrey5 September 1907Killed in cow stampede
Patrol OfficerLewis C. Hipple23 June 1916Shot and killed while attempting to detain two men
Patrol OfficerMelvin W. Kepford30 October 1918Struck and killed by vehicle while directing traffic
Patrol OfficerCloyd L. Hearn13 November 1934Struck and killed by vehicle while on foot patrol
Patrol OfficerBarry P. Karper20 July 1963Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle
Patrol OfficerJoseph J. O'Shura20 July 1963Killed when patrol vehicle crashed while chasing stolen vehicle
Detective CorporalJohn Robert Christian Jr.18 April 1978Shot and killed by robbery suspect