Riel Outlines Changes to PD

One of Tom Riel's campaign promises when he was running for mayor was that he would make positive changes to the City of Bradford Police Department.

In a speech Tuesday afternoon during a joint meeting of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, Riel said one of the first things he did after being sworn in as mayor was to make good on that pledge.

He said when he named Mike Close as the new chief "reforming the City of Bradford Police Department began."

"The publicly requested beat cop was walking the streets the next day," Riel said. "Chief Close dove in head first and was hard at work making the changes the city and police department needed."

The department now has the Emergency Response Team and Street Crimes Unit, which were equipped, armed, trained and have specialized vehicles all at no cost to the city.

Riel said Microtech, American Refining Group and Zippo were "more than generous" in their support.

"The officers themselves were very giving, too," Riel said, adding that they volunteering their time to be trained out of the area and paid for their own lodging and meals while they were away from home.

"This is testament to the dedication and the increased morale in the City of Bradford Police Department," Riel said.

Also during the past year, the late Joe Warner started the web site, City of Bradford Police.com, which includes an anonymous tip line that Riel said is an "invaluable resource in the fight against drugs in the city."

Since February, police have received 131 anonymous tips.

Riel noted that in 2007, 81 drug-related arrests were made in all of McKean County. This year, 103 drug arrests were made in the City of Bradford alone.

He said city police and the McKean County Drug Task Force are doing a tremendous job and putting a huge dent in the drug trade.

He did say, however, that he's shocked in the discrepancy between sentencing guidelines in Pennsylvania and New York.

He said a person can be arrested in Pennsylvania for selling cocaine and can get a sentence of probation if they don't have a previous record. But in New York, a person who is convicted of possessing a small amount of cocaine for personal use can get a year in state prison.

Riel said that's one reason drug dealers from other states come to Pennsylvania, and we need to "curb repeat, recycled offenders."

Also Tuesday, Riel mentioned the new look of the police department – from the uniforms that are more versatile, cheaper and more comfortable to black and white police cruisers – which came at no extra cost to the city.

He also mentioned the efforts of Elm Street Manager Lisa Campogiani in getting Segways for the department, which allows officers to patrol more ground.

"We should all be thankful for the officers of Bradford City Police Department, and especially Chief Close, for doing their part to make Bradford a safer and better place for us all," Riel said.