Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How do I report a crime or emergency?

2.  What do I do if I received a traffic or non-traffic citation?

3.  Where do I pay fines for a traffic or non-traffic citation?

4.  I received a citation and feel it is unfair.  What can I do?

5.  How do I obtain a copy of an accident or incident report?

6.  Where can I get information on a criminal or civil hearing?

7.  How can I file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order?

8.  Must the police arrest someone in domestic violence cases?

9.  Can I request extra enforcement for specific problems (speeding, stop signs, etc.)?

10. Does the police department provide fingerprinting services to the public?

11. Why won't the police intervene in civil matters?

12. I am leaving for an extended period of time.  Can the police watch my house?

13. Why does it take two or more officers to respond to some calls?

14. Do Barrett Township Police Officers have authority outside of Barrett Township?

15. What is the required training to become a police officer?

16. Is the Barrett Township Police Department currently hiring?

17. I would like to arrange for a tour of the police department, whom do I call?

18. I installed a burglar and/or fire alarm system.  Should I tell the police department?

19. Where can I obtain copies of Barrett Township Ordinances?

20. Where can I get a Barrett Township Police Department patch for my collection?    

    1.  How do I report a crime or emergency?

Call 911 to report emergencies or crimes in progress.  You can contact the Monroe County Control Center at (570) 992 - 9911 to contact a police officer if no emergency exists.  They are able to contact officers via radio, and will dispatch them to your location as needed.  Otherwise, you can contact the Barrett Township Police Department at their headquarters by calling the business line, (570) 595 - 3476.  Keep in mind that this line is not monitored continuously, and an officer may not be available to answer the telephone.    <Back to Top>

     2.  What do I do if I received a traffic or non-traffic citation?

You have 10 days to respond to a citation issued by a police officer.  Your response must be addressed to Magisterial District Judge John D. Whitesell's office and not the police department.  Follow the instructions on the back of your copy of the citation.

Failure to respond within the 10 days allotted can result in a suspension of your driver's license and a warrant being issued for your arrest.    <Back to Top>

     3.  Where do I pay fines for a traffic or non-traffic citation?

Fines for traffic and non-traffic citations must be paid at Magisterial District Judge John D. Whitesell's office on Route 390 across from the BP Gas Station in Mountainhome.  The mailing address is P.O. Box 213 Mountainhome, PA 18342.  The telephone number is (570) 595 - 2520.  Please do not send payments to the police department.    <Back to Top>

    4.  I received a citation and feel it is unfair.  What can I do?

You have the right to plead not guilty and contest the citation.  Your not guilty plea must be addressed to Magisterial District Judge John D. Whitesell's office, and not the police department.     <Back to Top>

    5.  How do I obtain a copy of an accident or incident report?

All requests for records must be submitted either in writing by U.S. Postal Mail or in person at the Barrett Township Police Department's Headquarters on Route 390 in Mountainhome.  Alternately, a request can be made verbally, provided you appear in person.  The Barrett Township Police Department will not accept requests for records via telephone, fax, or email.  Please remit your request with the appropriate fee of $15 per the ordinance enacted by the Barrett Township Supervisors.

In order for the Barrett Township Police Department to process your request, you must provide enough identifying information to allow the Barrett Township Police Department to locate the record.  If you do not have the incident number, please contact the Police Department by telephone prior to submitting your request in writing, and an officer will attempt to assist you in identifying the specific record.

Under the Right to Know law, investigative reports are exempted from the definition of a "public record".  Therefore, any requests for investigative reports will be denied.  Also, criminal history information is strictly regulated and is also exempted from disclosure under the Right to Know law.  Limited criminal history information is available by submitting a request with the Pennsylvania State Police.  Please see http://www.psp.state.pa.us/patch/site/default.asp for more information on criminal history requests.

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    6.  Where can I get information on a criminal or civil hearing?

All criminal and civil hearings are scheduled by Magisterial District Judge John D. Whitesell's office.  They can be contacted at (570) 595 - 2520.    <Back to Top>

    7.  How can I file a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order?

PFA's are generally issued at the County Courthouse is Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.  However, emergency PFA's can be issued by local Magisterial District Judges during hours when the County Courthouse is closed.  Contact the police department if you need an emergency PFA.    <Back to Top>

    8.  Must the police arrest someone in domestic violence cases?

Yes, under certain circumstances.  Pennsylvania law provides that police officers have the duty to arrest someone for committing certain offenses against another person when a special relationship (as defined by law) exists between the two parties.  Even when the victim refuses to cooperate with the prosecution, the law commands that the police shall make the arrest.  This is often referred to as "Victimless Prosecution".  For more information, check Pennsylvania Title 18 (known as the Crimes Code) Section 2711.    <Back to Top>

    9.  Can I request extra enforcement for specific problems (speeding, stop signs, etc.)?

Yes.  Please address all such requests to the Chief of Police, Steven R. Williams.  He can be reached by telephone at (570) 595 - 3476.    <Back to Top>

    10. Does the police department provide fingerprinting services to the public?

Yes, if an officer is available.  Please see our Community Services page for more information.            <Back to Top> 

    11. Why won't the police intervene in civil matters?

Pennsylvania police officers are not authorized by statute to enforce civil orders (with the exception of PFA orders).  While the police will often try to mediate civil disputes such as child custody disputes and landlord / tenant issues, they cannot take enforcement action unless a criminal offense has occurred.     <Back to Top>

    12. I am leaving for an extended period of time.  Can the police watch my house?

Yes.  The Barrett Township Police Department provides a "Property Check" service.  Please see our Community Services page for more information.    <Back to Top>

    13. Why does it take two or more officers to respond to some calls?

Many citizens call in and express concerns that there were two or more officers present during their encounter with the police.  They often feel that they are not a threat to the officer and that having two or more officers present is insulting to them or implying that they are a criminal.   

Officers are trained at a very early stage in their career that they need to look out for the well being of one another.  They are taught that they need to take the initiative to check on their fellow officers when they are out on a call or traffic stop.  The officer out on the call or traffic stop appreciates his fellow officer's concern for his safety.  In many instances, the officer may not have even called for assistance.

The presence of multiple officers is not an insult to the public.  While you may be a law-abiding and respectful person, the officers do not necessarily know that.  Officer safety equals safety for the public as well.    <Back to Top>

    14. Do Barrett Township Police Officers have authority outside of Barrett Township?

Yes, under certain circumstances.  Township police officers often respond to locations outside of Barrett Township at the request of other police departments to assist them with large or dangerous incidents.  Under such circumstances, a Barrett Township Police Officer has the same authority as when he acts within Barrett Township.

Other circumstances, such as when the officer is in "hot pursuit" of a person who committed an offense within Barrett Township, when the police officer is acting pursuant to a court order, or if the officer observes certain types of offenses while on official business outside of Barrett Township are other times when a Barrett Township Police Officer has authority outside of the Township.    <Back to Top>   

    15. What is the required training to become a police officer?

Training requirements for Pennsylvania police officers are regulated by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission.  Their website can be found at http://www.mpoetc.state.pa.us.   

Specific requirements for employment with the Barrett Township Police Department can be found on our Career Opportunities page.      <Back to Top>         

    16. Is the Barrett Township Police Department currently hiring?

Please see our Career Opportunities page.    <Back to Top>

    17. I would like to arrange for a tour of the police department, whom do I call?

Please contact the Chief of Police, Steven R. Williams, at (570) 595 -3476 to arrange for tours or other police demonstrations.    <Back to Top>

    18. I installed a burglar and/or fire alarm system.  Should I tell the police department?

Yes.  Barrett Township has enacted an ordinance requiring all burglar and fire alarm systems installed within the Township to be registered with the Barrett Township Police Department.  Please contact the police department to obtain a copy of the ordinance and registration paperwork, or you may download an alarm registration form and submit it with the appropriate registration fee.    <Back to Top>

    19. Where can I obtain copies of Barrett Township Ordinances?

Copies of all ordinances enacted within Barrett Township are available from the Barrett Township Municipal Building located on Route 390 in Mountainhome.    <Back to Top>

    20. Where can I get a Barrett Township Police Department patch for my collection?    

Contact Detective Ryan Venneman by email at btpd5@ptd.net 

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Please dial 911 for emergencies.

Please direct all technical questions or issues to the webmaster at btpd@ptd.net.

Copyright © 2006 Barrett Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.