4 NEWEST WBPD OFFICERS COMPLETE ACT 120 TRAINING

January 15 2009, Mayor Thomas M. Leighton and Police Chief Gerard Dessoye conducted a ceremony in which four members of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department were promoted. During the ceremony, Donald Crane was promoted from Captain of Patrol to Deputy Police Chief, Robert Zavada was promoted from Detective to Captain of Operations, Ralph Elick was promoted from Sergeant to Detective and Christopher Roberts was promoted from Police Officer to Sergeant. "Together, these officers have dedicated 75 years of service to the Wilkes-Barre community. Each possesses the qualities of courage, leadership and commitment. These skills will prove invaluable as we continue to make the city a safer place to live, work and raise a family and I am very proud to promote them to their new ranks," said Leighton.

Mission Statement

      The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department shall enter into a complete partnership with all residents and visitors of the City of Wilkes-Barre to effectively protect life and property, reduce crime, and foster an environment of harmony between business, industry, and recreation thereby enhancing the quality of life in the City.

Vision Statement

Department Motto: NISI NOBIS TUNC QUIBIS - If not us, then whom?

• If not us, then whom?
  
  
• WHO will defend the victims of crime?
  
  
• WHO will stand for the abused children and elderly?
  
  
• WHO will protect those who cannot protect themselves?
  
  

The Wilkes-Barre Police Department is the WHO, its members bound together by a common goal of preservation of order, commitment to duty and service to the people of Wilkes-Barre.

Organization

      The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department provides law enforcement and public safety services to a population of 43,000+ residents and visitors; covering an area of 7 square miles. The Department is staffed by 91 sworn personnel and 7 civilians.

Office of the Chief of Police

Gerard E. Dessoye, Chief of Police
Barbara Smith, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police
John Curham, Administrative Sergeant

Patrol Division

Donald Crane, Captain of Patrol
3 Lieutenants
6 Sergeants
64 Patrol Officers
3 Civilians

      This Division is responsible for responding to calls for service and general patrol duties. Officers carry out these duties while assigned to a zone car, motorcycle patrol, bicycle patrol, or foot patrol. The Division also has 3 K-9 teams which are cross-trained in drug detection and protection/tracking.

Detective Division

Wayne Cooney, Captain of Detectives
10 Detectives
1 Patrol Officer

      This Division is responsible for all major crimes investigations and criminal investigations not handled in the Patrol Division. This Division also includes the Department's Juvenile Unit and Auto Theft Unit.

Operations Division

Thomas Unvarsky, Captain of Operations
Marcella Lendacky, Sergeant of Operations

2 Civilians

      This Division is responsible for maintaining the Department's records, evidence, and property functions; as well as recording/analyzing crime data. The Division is comprised of the Department's Computer Statistics Analysis Unit (COMSTAT) and the Department's Records Unit.

Community Services Division

Laralee Riemensnyder, Captain of Community Services

      This Division is responsible for overseeing the Department's Crime Watch and other community based programs, the Department's Narcotics Unit, and the Department's training and grant writing functions.