The Department of Police is responsible for ensuring public safety and enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the laws and ordinances of the Township of Upper St. Clair. The Township has received national recognition as one of the top-ten safest communities among those of similar population size in the United States.
The Department’s goal is to maintain a “can do” attitude while providing professional, around-the-clock quality service to the community of Upper St. Clair. To support this mission, the Department is staffed by 35 full-time employees, including 28 sworn police officers assigned to three primary divisions: Administrative, Investigations and Patrol.
All sworn officers possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and Pennsylvania Act 120 municipal police officer certification, as well as First Aid and CPR/AED training. Several officers also hold master’s degrees. Additionally, the Department includes three graduates of the prestigious FBI National Academy, reflecting its strong commitment to professionalism, leadership, continuing education, and public service excellence.
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Mission
The mission of the Upper St. Clair Police Department is to serve as the unwavering line between peace and harm, standing as a shield for our community against threats to our peace. Grounded in a commitment to deep community service, we protect life and property while upholding the laws of the Commonwealth and the ordinances of our Township. We carry out our duties impartially, treating every individual with dignity and respect. Guided by common sense, justice, and genuine compassion, we build lasting trust to ensure every neighborhood, school, and business remains a safe haven for our community.
Core Values
Community Partnership & Service, Continuous Learning & Excellence, Unwavering Respect & Dignity, Selfless Dedication & Duty and Resilience & Mental Toughness
Civil Service Board
The Civil Service Board was established to prepare eligibility lists for the hiring and promotion of personnel in police officer positions, except for the position of Chief of Police. This Board was originally established pursuant to the first-class Township Code and was maintained when the Township became a home rule municipality in 1976. The Civil Service Board meets only as needed to select new police officers, review officers for promotion, or review police disciplinary matters. The Board consists of members, each of whom is a full-time resident and qualified elector of the Township of Upper St. Clair. Members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners to serve for a 3-year term. Members of the Civil Service Board:
- P. J. Murray III, Chair
- Neal Holmes, Secretary
- Shon Worner
USC Police Officer Requirements
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum age of 22
- Citizen of the United States
- Four-year degree from accredited college or university
- Act 120 Training
- Physically fit for police duty
- Good moral character
- Valid license to operate a motor vehicle
- Residency in the Township of Upper St. Clair is not a requirement
Officer Hiring Process Includes:
- Job-related physical ability test
- Written test – subject to successful physical ability test
- Oral interview
- Psychological and medical exam, including drug screening.
- Background Investigation, including a Polygraph or CVSA Examination
911 Calls
In December 1998, the Enhanced 911 system was activated for this area. When an Upper St. Clair resident dials 911, the call is initially routed to the Allegheny County 911 (AC911) Center in Moon Township. AC911 then transfers the call to the Upper St. Clair Dispatch Center along with the caller’s phone number and address information.
Allegheny County 911 directly dispatches Tri-Community South (TCS) EMS and the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department (USCVFD) for medical and fire emergencies. At the same time, the call is transferred to the Upper St. Clair Dispatch Center, which dispatches police and any additional support services while maintaining a local point of contact for residents. For all other emergency and non-emergency assistance, residents may call 412-833-7500 to reach the Upper St. Clair Dispatch Center directly. Whether you call 911 or the non-emergency number, a dispatcher will ensure the appropriate services are provided promptly.
If you accidentally dial 911, remain on the line and inform the dispatcher it was an error. Hanging up requires dispatchers to verify there is no emergency by calling back. If they cannot confirm this by phone, a police officer must be sent to the location to ensure everyone is safe.