2010 At the close of 2010, the borough Communication Center was closed. It was the last local community Communication Center besides the Reading Police Department, which coincidentally was the original county police dispatch center. During the last year of service, the Communication Center answered over 52,000 calls from police officers and the community. All calls are now answered by Berks County Radio (BCR) ending a fifty (50) year service to the borough residents. The Communication Center was staffed by the following dedicated dispatchers: Dispatcher John D. Eisenhard, Chief Dispatcher Eric J. Rickenbach, Dispatcher Dale R. Fisher, Dispatcher Christopher M. Sam, Dispatcher Eric J. Kohl with assistance from part-time dispatchers: Carol Gardecki, who completed thirty-five (35) years of service, Eric Kaag, Nancy Bubbenmoyer, Joan Perkins, and Matt Stauffer. Confiscated guns and weapons were destroyed by court order after storing these items for many years. A property bar coding module was added to CODY, our records management system to track evidence and property, under Officer Terri L. Ney s control. Officer Peter J. Purcell became a member of the Berks County Accident Reconstruction Task Force. Criminal Investigators, George R. Bell, Jr., David L. Yoch, Courtney C. Garipoli, and Daren A. Anders became members of the Berks County Major Crimes Task Force. A set of truck scales was added through a grant for the Motor Carrier Safety and Assistance Program (MCSAP) enforcement officers. (Pictured L-R) Officer Kevin M. Quinter, Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr., Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl, Sergeant Thomas D. Endy, Officer Matthew J. Henne.
(Pictured Standing) MCSAP (Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program) Officer Peter J. Purcell and Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr., position a scale while weighing a commercial vehicle. 2011 In 2011, the police department was awarded the 2011 Public Safety Uniform of the Year by the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors for police departments under 50 members category. Former Wyomissing police officer and dispatcher Christopher M. Sam was rehired as a police department clerk in late January to complement the administrative staff. Officer Terri L. Ney became a member of the Berks County Emergency Response Team as a hostage negotiator. Police Clerk Christopher M. Sam
2012 The Ford Motor Company switched from the traditional police sedan to the Police Interceptor model, which was available in sedan or a sport utility. Officer Kevin M. Quinter became the police department s and Berks County s first Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). The police department budget including salaries was $2,406,995. Officer Kevin M. Quinter became member of the Berks County Drug Task Force. 2013 2012 Ford Police Interceptor Sport Utility. The budgeted amount for a new police patrol unit was $33,400, which included applying the exterior decals and interior radio equipment from a retired vehicle. The position of police secretary was eliminated and Antoinetta (Scotto) Stannizzi left the police department. The position of police clerk was changed to Police Administrative Specialist. A second glass display cabinet was donated by Boscov s Visual Merchandise for the historical display area. Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch was awarded the 2013 Police Officer of the Year award by the Fraternal Order of Police, Berks Lodge #71. The training of police officers was highlighted during Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl s annual report to Borough Council not just because of the hours and cost, but the type and specialized training received by Wyomissing police officers. Officers Terri L. Ney and Matthew J. Henne were honored as the Berks County Youth Aid Panel Officers of the Year by the Berks County Juvenile Probation Office.
Left: Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl (in the foreground) and Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch qualify on the police department s AR-15 rifle carried in police department s vehicles. Right: Sergeant Leon J. Grim, a police department range master, scores a target. Left: Officer Scott D. Schaeffer practices cardiopulmonary resusitation (CPR) with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Right: Officer John G. Phillips (in the foreground), instructs on responding to active shooter incidents with Officer Matthew J. Henne.
(Pictured L-R) Fraternal Order of Police, Berks Lodge #71 President Joseph M. Brown presents Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch with the 2013 Police Officer of the Year award. (Picture L-R) Officers Terri L. Ney and Matthew J. Henne with the award for being named Berks County Youth Aid Officers of the Year in 2013
(Pictured L-R) 1 st Row: Police Clerk Christopher M. Sam, Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch, Criminal Investigator George R. Bell, Jr., Officer Ashley L. Borman, Sergeant David B. Ravel, Sergeant Thomas D. Endy, Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl, Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr., Sergeant Leon J. Grim, Criminal Investigator Courtney C. Garipoli, Criminal Investigator Daren A. Anders, Officer Paul C. Baur, IV, K9 GRIF; 2 nd Row: Officer Terri L. Ney, Officer Douglas A. Goeltz, Officer Peter J. Purcell, Officer Matthew J. Henne, Officer Robert J. Pehlman, Officer Joseph D. Klatt, Officer John G. Phillips, Officer Scott D. Schaeffer, Officer Barry W. Moyer, Officer Kevin M. Quinter, and Officer Raymond A. Waligorski. Command Staff (Pictured L-R) Sergeant Leon J. Grim, Sergeant David B. Ravel, Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl, Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr., and Sergeant Thomas D. Endy.
Patrol Division (Pictured L-R) 1 st Row: Officer Robert J. Pehlman, Officer Ashley L. Borman, Officer Kevin M. Quinter, Officer Matthew J. Henne, Officer Raymond A. Waligorski, Officer Paul C. Baur IV, K9 GRIF; 2 nd Row: Officer Terri L. Ney, Officer Douglas A. Goeltz, Officer Peter J. Purcell, Officer Joseph D. Klatt, Officer John G. Phillips, Officer Scott D. Schaeffer, Officer Barry W. Moyer, and Officer Richard F. Karstien. Criminal Investigation Unit (Pictured L-R) Criminal Investigator Courtney C. Garipoli, Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch, Criminal Investigator George R. Bell, Jr., and Criminal Investigator Daren A. Anders.
2014 100 Years of Service Criminal Investigator David L. Yoch retired in January after 28 years of service after being elected the Magisterial District Judge in District Court 23-2-04 in November 2013. Sergeant Thomas D. Endy was promoted to Lieutenant and Officer John G. Phillips was promoted to Sergeant in January. A plaque was dedicated to Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr., who created the badge and patch board display. Officer Paul C. Baur, IV, and K9 Grif became members of the Berks County Drug Task Force. May 22 nd brought a hail storm where the Borough was at the center of the storm. The hail stones were the size of golf balls that damaged nine of twelve borough police units. (Pictured L-R) Lieutenant Thomas D. Endy and Sergeant John G. Phillips The May 22 nd hail storm left a path of destruction through Wyomissing east of Wyomissing Boulevard, including car #W6.
In July, the police department was recognized for the 100 years of policing by leading the 4 th of July parade. Former Wyomissing police officers were invited to participate and showcased by riding in Corvettes from the Berks County Corvette Club. A grilled lunch was provided later at the police department for the former police officers. (Pictured L-R) The Wyomissing Police Department s banner celebrating 100 Years of Policing is carried by Amy N. Endy, Lieutenant Thomas D. Endy s daughter, and her friend, Julia P. Herb, both of Wyomissing. In the lead vehicle, Criminal Investigator George R. Bell, Jr., was recognized as the longest serving police officer serving since 1972.
The lead police vehicle driven by Police Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl. (Pictured L-R) The former police officers, 1 st Row: Sergeant Daniel P. Billings, Sergeant Kent M. Quinter, Officer Douglas D. Filbert; 2 nd Row: Officer James S. Melcher, Sr., Sergeant Grant A. Goeltz, Sergeant Robert F. Johnson; 3 rd Row: Sergeant Thomas M. Moll, Chief David Y. Bausher, Officer Lawrence D. Hummel, and Officer James P. Wilson; along with Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl (in uniform) and Criminal Investigator George R. Bell, Jr. (most right), who were recognized during the 4 th of July Parade.
Pennsylvania State Senator Judith L. Schwank presented a senatorial proclamation recognizing the police department during the Stone House ceremony. The artist rendering of the anniversary badge designed by Sergeant William O. Roecker, Jr. As this pictorial and time line is paused after having documented the first 100 years of policing in the Borough of Wyomissing, let it serve as a reminder of where we have been and provide a roadmap to our future...