The Criminal Investigation Division (C.I.D.) of the Spring Township Police Department is primarily responsible for the investigation of matters that cannot be easily resolved by a patrol officer within the shift the officer is working at the time the crime is reported.  The CID is led by a lieutenant who oversees four detectives and one school resource officer. 

   Each detective has been cross designated as a Berks County Detective by District Attorney John Adams.  This enables the detectives to work on cases that may go across the Township’s boundary into other municipalities within Berks County.  In addition, each member is part of the County’s major crimes task force and can assist either County Detectives or another municipal agency’s detectives with investigations.    

   The Department has seen a rise in the number of complaints about drug dealing and drug use within the Township.  As a result one of the detectives has been assigned to primarily work on narcotic type investigations.  This detective works closely with other law enforcement agencies on the local, state, and federal level in an effort to reduce this type of activity and crimes that occur as a result of it.

The Police Department created a Traffic Safety Unit to assist with keeping the roads as safe as possible.  The Traffic Safety Unit is dedicated to promoting and improving traffic safety through education, data information analysis, and enforcement of the traffic related laws. 

Among the tools and equipment that the Traffic Safety Unit utilizes is a Speed Monitoring Radar Trailer.  The trailer can be brought to neighborhoods, school zones, construction zones and other locations to help promote compliance with the speed limit. The trailer is an unmanned portable, self-contained speed display unit that is towed to the desired location. Once deployed, it displays speeds of oncoming vehicles on a highly visible LED display. A speed limit sign mounted on the unit reminds drivers of the speed limit. This unit also has the capability to record the speed data for future traffic problem analysis. The trailer gives drivers the opportunity to see how fast they are actually going and slow down, without receiving a citation.

Additionally, the Traffic Unit has invested in a Kustom Signals “Stealth Stat”. This small computer can be unobtrusively mounted on a pole to gather data on the frequency of traffic and speeds on any given road.

From the resulting report, officers can obtain details of the lowest and highest speeds that occurred during this time period, identify the average speed, and determine whether or not there is a higher preponderance of motorists traveling above the posted speed limit on any given street. This will allow them to identify the difference between actual and perceived speeding problems, and to focus their prevention efforts where they are most needed.

Traffic calming signs are also available through the Traffic Enforcement Unit.  Citizens of the Township may contact the Unit and request the signs.  Two different versions of the signs are available for loan through the Police Department. 
    
The signs can be placed curbside as a reminder to motorists to check their speed and comply with the speed limit. 

The Unit will also soon be making these signs, or similar signs, available for purchase to the citizens of the Township.

The Spring Township Police Department is presently cooperating with other Departments in Berks County in an effort to increase the safety on the roads involving commercial motor vehicles. The collaborative effort involves monthly safety inspection details.  These details include weighing and inspecting trucks, and their operators, for violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Every month a department will host the event and the assisting departments will send officers to the host jurisdiction for the inspection and weigh detail.
   
Officers that assist during these events have all received training and certification in accordance with to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Motor Carrier Safety Alliance Program (MCSAP). This is a two-week training course specific to the Federal regulations specific to the trucking industry. Officers that have completed the program are able to inspect both the vehicle and driver for safety violations. Officers also receive training through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) during a four-day school for the measuring and weighing of commercial motor vehicles. Officers that successfully complete the training courses also receive the designation of Qualified Commonwealth Employees, which enables them to stop commercial vehicles on a systematic basis, rather than on a violation or probable cause basis.

The Traffic Safety Unit also assists the County of Berks District Attorney’s Office Forensic Unit as part of the countywide Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation Team.  Officers participate in a "call out" procedure when a serious motor vehicle accident occurs. This will offer the agency where the collision has occurred officers who have the experience, training, and equipment necessary to properly reconstruct the collision and determine the cause and origin of the collision.

Abandoned Vehicles

All vehicles that are parked on the streets within the Township must comply with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.  Specifically, Section 3712, regulates that all vehicles parked upon the roads must have a current inspection; a current registration; and, must be in a drivable condition. 

When vehicles are found to be parked on the roadway in violation of the Vehicle Code, Officers will affix a warning notice on the windshield of the vehicle.  The brightly visible warning notice will contain a specific notation as to the violation concerning the vehicle.  The warning notice will also notify the owner of the vehicle of the date that the vehicle must be removed from the roadway.  If the vehicle is not removed from the roadway by the listed date, additional notifications will be sent to the vehicle owner, and ultimately the vehicle will be towed by a State Salvor. 

Gaspar  was purchased from Progressive K-9 Academy in Walnutport, Pennsylvania.  Officer Miller and Gaspar also completed their training at the Progressive K-9 Academy.   Officer Miller and Police K-9 Gaspar have been certified through the National Police Canine Association.  

Gaspar, all of his equipment, training costs, and Officer Miller’s certification costs were all paid for through a grant that the Police Department was awarded through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.