Do Derry Township Police Officers have a bad reputation?

[apsaras6]

would like to know residents opinions and personal experience.

[derry1]

No, they are generally held in high regard. Very professional.

[Dan]

apsaras6 wrote:

would like to know residents opinions and personal experience.

Derry Township Policemen are extremely anal about non important things. They are very gay and no one likes them

[awesom-o]

Dan knows whats goin on

[NO NAME]

WE AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE GIVEN A CITATION FOR ACCIDENTLY MAKING A WRONG TURN ONTO A BUS ROUTE IN HERSHEY(WE ARE NOT FROM HERSHEY). THEY REROUTED EVERYONE FOR THE NEW YEARS CELEBRATION ON THE SQUARE WITH NO DETOUR SIGNS. YOU WERE LEFT ON YOUR OWN TO TRY AND GET AROUND THE TOWN WITH ALOT OF ROADS CLOSED. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE MADE THAT TURN ONTO THE BUS ROUTE! WE ACCIDENTLY MADE A TURN ONTO THE BUS ROUTE AND GOT TICKETED FOR DOING SO.THIS OFFICER SHOWED NO COMPASSION AT ALL!!! WE WERE ALL GIVEN CITAIONS OF $109.00. HE WAS QUITE ARROGANT. TO THE OFFICER: SOMEDAY I HOPE YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND REALIZE PEOPLE ARE HUMAN AND MAKE SIMPLE MISTAKES, NEXT TIME GO AFTER THE BAD GUYS. THIS WAS NOT DONE ON PURPOSE. YOU COULD HAVE EASILY SAID YOU MADE A WRONG TURN AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. THERE WERE NO BUSES(HERSHEY PARK WAS CLOSED)SO IT WAS NOT LIKE WE OR THE OTHERS WERE CREATING ANY TYPE OF TRAFFIC JAM. HAPPY NEW YEAR

[Good guys]

Actually, you were the only one who made that illegal turn.

[Common Sense]

Nobody likes police when they do their job and give you tickets but everyone wants the police to give someone else a ticket when they do something wrong. Sounds like someone can't take responsibility for their own actions.

[Grateful]

When I was pregnant a Derry Twp officer pulled me over to tell me there was something wrong with my muffler. He got down under my car, fixed what he could see as the problem and sent me on my way. He was very professional, kind and I was very grateful.
I have also been stopped two times for speeding on my way to work over the last 10 years and both times they were very polite. If you don't act like a jerk to them, they will show you the same respect.

[John]

NO NAME wrote:

WE AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE GIVEN A CITATION FOR ACCIDENTLY MAKING A WRONG TURN ONTO A BUS ROUTE IN HERSHEY(WE ARE NOT FROM HERSHEY). THEY REROUTED EVERYONE FOR THE NEW YEARS CELEBRATION ON THE SQUARE WITH NO DETOUR SIGNS. YOU WERE LEFT ON YOUR OWN TO TRY AND GET AROUND THE TOWN WITH ALOT OF ROADS CLOSED. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE MADE THAT TURN ONTO THE BUS ROUTE! WE ACCIDENTLY MADE A TURN ONTO THE BUS ROUTE AND GOT TICKETED FOR DOING SO.THIS OFFICER SHOWED NO COMPASSION AT ALL!!! WE WERE ALL GIVEN CITAIONS OF $109.00. HE WAS QUITE ARROGANT. TO THE OFFICER: SOMEDAY I HOPE YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND REALIZE PEOPLE ARE HUMAN AND MAKE SIMPLE MISTAKES, NEXT TIME GO AFTER THE BAD GUYS. THIS WAS NOT DONE ON PURPOSE. YOU COULD HAVE EASILY SAID YOU MADE A WRONG TURN AND SENT US ON OUR WAY. THERE WERE NO BUSES(HERSHEY PARK WAS CLOSED)SO IT WAS NOT LIKE WE OR THE OTHERS WERE CREATING ANY TYPE OF TRAFFIC JAM. HAPPY NEW YEAR

You're lucky you only got a ticket. Some Derry twp. officers are known to get physical when challenged.

[A CONCERNED CITIZEN]

THE DERRY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE WORSE THEN MIDDLETOWN, STEELTON OR ANY OF THE OTHER CORRUPT DAUPHIN COUNTY POLICE. THEY ACT LIKE THE TOP OF THE LINE, BUT REALLY, THEY HAVE NO PROFESSIONALISM WHATSOEVER.. JUST IGNORANCE & DISRESPECT. ESPECIALLY OFFICER JASON RHOADES. I CANNOT WAITT UNTIL KARMA CATCHES UP WITH YOU .

[One of the good guys]

No police unit within reasonable driving distance deserve the term pigs more than the no good swine in Derry Township. I hate living in Hershey because I work long hours and literally need to strategize my route home based on police presence, for I received a warning once when I know I wasn't speeding (cops normally only give warnings when the amount over the speed limit is low and therefore somewhat questionable). They lay traps late at night when there are few cars on the road and people take advantage of the low traffic; they also choose strategic locations for their traps, often on an incline or places where the speed limit makes a considerable jump. The ones that I've dealt with are rude and there is an army of them in this town; indeed there are armies of them everywhere I go lately; I suppose since we don't tax the rich, municpalities are using police as their local shakedown agents - it's a racket if there ever was one.

Yes, the police here are arrogant bastards, who use the badge to flex their immense unrestrained egos

[no name]

derry twp police are dicks they think there are king shit.half of them are just mad because the state police will not except them. there is one thing you can count on with the derry twp police is at the end of every month there is a speed trap on vine st. so they can meet there quota......they should just get a job at hershey park directing traffic.

[A Good Guy]

First of all, they dont have quotas, thats not actually a true statement. Secondly, 95% of them never even wanted to do state police. If you knew enough about the differences between state police and municipal police, maybe you'd change your mind, just like many do. And, state police is hurting for people really bad right now, so if the state had more money to spend, they'd be taking even more people to reach their desired number.

[Citizen]

To all those who say cops are "pigs" or dicks, you walk a day in their shoes. Most if not all of them have families and kids. Hershey has one of the lowest crime rates in the area, for a reason. Police presence. Yeah, they ticket people a lot. Simple fix, slow down. As a member of the emergency services in town (no, I'm not a cop) there are too many deadly accidents in the area, all caused by speeding or DUI. So next time you disrespect them, do yourself a favor and ride along for a shift and see all the things they have to deal with.

[Informed Citizen]

There are many problems with the Derry Township Police. First, they got off on chasing around high school to college aged kids and busting them. Second, they have very little if any regard to the law and civil liberties. Example: They will walk into your house uninvited and snoop around unless you forcibly stand in the door to prevent this. This is a true story. Also, the D.T.P. are known for charging people without enough evidence in hopes that they do not hire a lawyer to fight such charges. Third, they are known for fishing (Identifying young people and trying to find a reason to cite/arrest). They breathalyzed me and three of my friends for standing in Sorrento's parking lot after having pizza. We all passed the test (blew 0s) then the cop lied to my face and said he saw one of us on all fours puking when he drove by. False accusation (Officer Jason Rhoades). Also known for their use of questionable informants who themselves are the biggest criminals in town (AA). Example: Used someone convicted of multiple crimes to inform on underage high school drinking parties. They are also a strain on the budget. 2011 expenditure on the police department was $5,598,964, a whopping 37% of all township expenditures. Source: http://www.derrytownship.org/images/stories/b...
My list could go on and on and it will. It is about time someone take a stand to this nonsensical spending and predatory policing behavior. Citizens concerned about what they see going on should be vocal about it. Take a stand and know the law. Never be afraid to question an officer for they should be willing to explain the law to you.

I am a full time college student and worker with no criminal record who has no reason to lie in any of these accusations. Anyone who wants to come on here and dispute me is invited to, but please be realistic. Know that if you are 40 and married that this won't happen to you. It is only those in the teenage to college years that deal with this.

[apsaras6]

Informed Citizen wrote:

There are many problems with the Derry Township Police. First, they got off on chasing around high school to college aged kids and busting them. Second, they have very little if any regard to the law and civil liberties. Example: They will walk into your house uninvited and snoop around unless you forcibly stand in the door to prevent this. This is a true story. Also, the D.T.P. are known for charging people without enough evidence in hopes that they do not hire a lawyer to fight such charges. Third, they are known for fishing (Identifying young people and trying to find a reason to cite/arrest). They breathalyzed me and three of my friends for standing in Sorrento's parking lot after having pizza. We all passed the test (blew 0s) then the cop lied to my face and said he saw one of us on all fours puking when he drove by. False accusation (Officer Jason Rhoades). Also known for their use of questionable informants who themselves are the biggest criminals in town (AA). Example: Used someone convicted of multiple crimes to inform on underage high school drinking parties. They are also a strain on the budget. 2011 expenditure on the police department was $5,598,964, a whopping 37% of all township expenditures. Source: http://www.derrytownship.org/images/stories/b...
My list could go on and on and it will. It is about time someone take a stand to this nonsensical spending and predatory policing behavior. Citizens concerned about what they see going on should be vocal about it. Take a stand and know the law. Never be afraid to question an officer for they should be willing to explain the law to you.
I am a full time college student and worker with no criminal record who has no reason to lie in any of these accusations. Anyone who wants to come on here and dispute me is invited to, but please be realistic. Know that if you are 40 and married that this won't happen to you. It is only those in the teenage to college years that deal with this.

He was probably bullied as a child and then about 10 yrs ago while on duty was involved in a hit and run accident and ended up in the hospital...I think he suffered brain damage which explains his pathological unprofessional behavior....thats being nice....he is the one that needs to be to be taken off the street...

[Better Informed]

Informed Citizen,

Since you are a college student maybe you should fit a grammar course into your class schedule.

Regards.

[Informed Citizen]

Better Informed wrote:

Informed Citizen,
Since you are a college student maybe you should fit a grammar course into your class schedule.
Regards.

I think it's funny you came on here and then grammar checked an online post which I do not even care to proof read. When I post online I never proof read or even care to have good grammar, let alone perfect grammar. Seems like you must be a cop, know one, or be married to one cause your behavior just exemplified the type of anal behavior befitting of a Derry Township police officer. For your information, I am a business administration major at Penn State's Smeal School of Business with a 3.84 cumulative GPA. Go online and look up Smeal's ranking amongst other business schools in the nation (You will be surprised to know that it is one of the best in the entire country). So trying to make it seem like I am ignorant is quite funny because I can guarantee that I am smarter than you, will have a better degree than you and will definitely make more money than you. This is why the D.T.P. hate college kids. They know that we are smarter, are working towards better degrees (Not just associates degrees which most cops have) and will make way more money than them. It must really irritate them to know that in less than 2 years when I graduate I will be making more money than them and will yield more power in the community. After all, pretty much anyone moron can be a cop, but not every cop can be a business leader in America.

[apsaras6]

Informed Citizen wrote:

There are many problems with the Derry Township Police. First, they got off on chasing around high school to college aged kids and busting them. Second, they have very little if any regard to the law and civil liberties. Example: They will walk into your house uninvited and snoop around unless you forcibly stand in the door to prevent this. This is a true story. Also, the D.T.P. are known for charging people without enough evidence in hopes that they do not hire a lawyer to fight such charges. Third, they are known for fishing (Identifying young people and trying to find a reason to cite/arrest). They breathalyzed me and three of my friends for standing in Sorrento's parking lot after having pizza. We all passed the test (blew 0s) then the cop lied to my face and said he saw one of us on all fours puking when he drove by. False accusation (Officer Jason Rhoades). Also known for their use of questionable informants who themselves are the biggest criminals in town (AA). Example: Used someone convicted of multiple crimes to inform on underage high school drinking parties. They are also a strain on the budget. 2011 expenditure on the police department was $5,598,964, a whopping 37% of all township expenditures. Source: http://www.derrytownship.org/images/stories/b...
My list could go on and on and it will. It is about time someone take a stand to this nonsensical spending and predatory policing behavior. Citizens concerned about what they see going on should be vocal about it. Take a stand and know the law. Never be afraid to question an officer for they should be willing to explain the law to you.
I am a full time college student and worker with no criminal record who has no reason to lie in any of these accusations. Anyone who wants to come on here and dispute me is invited to, but please be realistic. Know that if you are 40 and married that this won't happen to you. It is only those in the teenage to college years that deal with this.

i agree....except age makes no difference whatsoever..

[respect]

I'm young, have had lots of interactions with the DTP and they have all been positive when I was acting responsibly. One time I was young, driving like an aggressive youngster, and an officer really nailed me for it and I remember thinking "What an ass..." at the time. But really, I was the ass endangering others. Since then they have been helpful in several incidences and are a generally friendly community prescense. They participate in community activities and are always respectful when treated with respect.
We do live in a tourist town that has a population that swells well above it's residency certain times in the summer, and this means we have extra police officers. We also have a police training center on Hersheypark Drive, so you may see cadets that are not even full officers driving around/ visiting sheetz/ etc. You'll be happy for them the day some event gets out of control at Hershey Park/Stadium and we have a riot, until then yes, there are a lot of them, and sometimes they might stop and check a situation that may not seem like they need to be there. Treat them with respect and ten times out of ten, you will HAVE NO PROBLEMS. I feel very safe living in this community and it's thanks to the Police. I have lived here all of my teen years and into my early twenties, and have never once felt like I was profiled or targeted due to my age.
Some examples of police interactions I have had (I'll keep it to recent ones):
- My child attended a local function, and several police officers showed up and taught them bike safety. They gave her extra stickers (big deal to a four-year-old) and did a good job showing her that the police are there to help, taught her dial 911, and were generally just friendly.
- Was given tons of free legal advice from a detective involving a domestic issue (divorce is messy).
- I live along a busy road, and every day I see people being appropriately ticketed. It's upsetting to have people drive by doing 60 in a 25, and I smile every time I see one pulled over (especially if they pull off the main road and right behind my house so me and the kid can watch from the window).
I feel like a lot of the posts are complaining about the cops coming and busting them for having a party. When I was young, I had parties, did things I shouldn't have, etc., and was generally respectful of others and responsible and never never never had any police come. One time they came when we were in the State Game Lands partying at like 3AM (hahaha, good old times) and simply asked us to leave, because we didn't act like jerks to them and weren't disrupting others. If you are having a loud party with 30+ people all underage in the middle of a conservative, upper-class (most of Hershey) area, expect the police to be called. If you start going on and on about your rights, think about your neighbor's rights to have a quiet evening, or a families rights to go out to pizza without people acting in a way to illicit a police response in the parking lot. Act like a responsible person, you will be treated like one, whatever your age is. Act irresponsible, you will be treated like a jerk, whatever your age is.