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5 Major Updates: Inside The City Of Erie PA Police Department’s 2025 Crime Reduction And Modernization Drive

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The City of Erie Police Department (EPD) is currently undergoing a significant period of modernization and strategic success, with recent updates as of December 19, 2025, highlighting major advancements in both personnel and technology. The department, which serves as the principal law enforcement agency for the City of Erie, Pennsylvania, has made headlines for a substantial reduction in violent crime while simultaneously investing in specialized units and state-of-the-art equipment. These initiatives underscore the EPD’s commitment to a community-focused policing model that emphasizes both enforcement and social intervention.

The latest news revolves around new officer inductions, the deployment of advanced response vehicles, and the continued success of targeted public safety programs. Under the leadership of Chief Daniel P. Spizarny, the EPD is strategically utilizing data and specialized training to enhance public safety and build stronger community partnerships across the city, aiming for long-term stability in crime prevention.

The Leadership Profile: Chief Daniel P. Spizarny

The strategic direction and recent successes of the Erie Police Department are managed by a seasoned professional at the helm of the organization.

  • Full Name: Daniel P. Spizarny
  • Current Role: Chief of Police, City of Erie Police Department (EPD)
  • Jurisdiction: City of Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Focus: Chief Spizarny is noted for his commitment to professional development, community-oriented policing, and embracing collaborative strategies with local government entities like the Mayor's office and City Council. His tenure has been marked by a push for modernization and specialized training, particularly in mental health crisis response.
  • Professional Involvement: He is an active voice in national law enforcement discussions, having been featured in professional publications like *Police Chief Magazine* for his insights on transnational crime and other complex law enforcement issues.
  • Recent Highlights: Under his command, the EPD has reported a significant reduction in violent crime for the first half of 2025, a trend that continues to build on a decade of declining crime statistics from 2014-2024.

5 Key Updates: New Personnel, Equipment, and Crime Statistics

The most current developments at the City of Erie Police Department showcase a forward-thinking approach to law enforcement, blending personnel growth with technological and tactical upgrades.

1. Significant Violent Crime Reduction in 2025

A major announcement by Mayor Joe Schember and Chief Spizarny confirmed a significant reduction in violent crime during the first half of 2025. This positive trend is a direct result of the department's focused enforcement and prevention strategies. Furthermore, the decade-long crime statistics, spanning 2014 through 2024, also indicate a consistent decline in overall crime, demonstrating the efficacy of the EPD’s long-term public safety initiatives.

2. New SWAT Rapid Deployment Regional Command Vehicle

In a major equipment upgrade, the Erie Police Department unveiled its new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Rapid Deployment Regional Command Vehicle in late 2025. This advanced vehicle is a critical asset for the Special Response Unit (SRU), enhancing the department's ability to manage high-risk situations, regional emergencies, and tactical operations with greater speed, safety, and coordination.

3. Swearing-In of New Police Officers

The EPD continues to invest in its future workforce. In May 2025, four new police officers were officially sworn in to the department: Nicholas Brundage, Malik Alassedy, Matthew Crosby, and Emiliano Urbieta. This followed the swearing-in of five new officers in December 2024, ensuring a consistent influx of new talent to maintain staffing levels and operational readiness across the Patrol Division and other units.

4. Relaunch of the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU)

The department has solidified its commitment to mental health and social crisis response by successfully relaunching its 24-hour Crisis Car Unit and the associated Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU). The CIU is staffed by specially trained police officers who work in direct partnership with crisis service workers from UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. This collaborative model ensures that individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance abuse issues receive appropriate care and de-escalation rather than just a law enforcement response.

5. Focus on Community-Oriented Focus Area Policing

The EPD is actively implementing a data-driven strategy known as Community-Oriented Focus Area Policing. This approach uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping to pinpoint areas with high police incident rates. By directing resources and focused patrols to these specific areas, the EPD can maximize its enforcement impact and more effectively reduce identified risk factors, a key component of the overall crime reduction strategy.

Beyond Patrol: Specialized Units Driving Community Safety

The City of Erie Police Department is structured into several key divisions and units, each playing a vital role in maintaining public safety that extends beyond the traditional Patrol Division.

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID)

The CID is the backbone of the department's investigative work. Detectives in this division handle felony cases, complex crimes, and follow-up investigations, working closely with the District Attorney's office and other regional law enforcement agencies. Their work is crucial for solving violent crimes and complex property offenses, ensuring accountability and justice for victims.

The Special Response Unit (SRU)

Often referred to as SWAT, the SRU is the department’s elite tactical team. The unit is trained for high-risk operations, including hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and executing high-risk warrants. The recent acquisition of the new Rapid Deployment Regional Command Vehicle significantly enhances the SRU's operational capabilities, allowing for faster and more organized responses to critical incidents across the region.

The Training Unit

The Training Unit is responsible for the continuous professional development of all EPD personnel, from new recruits to veteran officers. Their curriculum includes specialized instruction in areas like defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, and, critically, de-escalation techniques and implicit bias training, which directly supports the goals of the Crisis Intervention Unit.

The Unified Strategy: How Erie is Reducing Crime

Erie’s success in reducing violent crime is not solely attributed to traditional policing but to a comprehensive, multi-agency approach known as the "Unified Strategy." This collaborative effort focuses on a three-pronged approach: Prevention, Enforcement, and Re-entry.

Collaborative Community Programs

The EPD is a key partner in several community engagement initiatives designed to build trust and offer positive alternatives, particularly for the city's youth.

  • Police Athletic League (PAL): A prominent program that connects police officers with local youth through sports and educational activities. PAL builds mentorship relationships, fosters positive interactions, and provides constructive outlets for young residents, serving as a powerful tool for crime prevention.
  • UnifiedErie: A broad coalition that coordinates the efforts of law enforcement, social services, and community organizations. UnifiedErie's long-term goal is to implement a Community Action Plan that addresses the root causes of crime through a holistic lens.

Re-Entry and Support Services

The department recognizes that reducing recidivism is vital for long-term crime reduction. They collaborate with organizations like the Erie County Re-Entry Services and Support Alliance (ECRSSA) and the Crime Victim Center of Erie. These partnerships focus on providing essential support to individuals returning from incarceration, which includes services like counseling, housing assistance, and job readiness, thereby breaking the cycle of crime and promoting stable community integration.

The City of Erie Police Department, as demonstrated by its 2025 updates, is a modern law enforcement agency that is successfully leveraging specialized units, technology, and community partnerships to achieve tangible results in public safety. The continued reduction in violent crime, alongside investments in critical units like the CIU and new tactical equipment, positions the EPD as a model for proactive and community-responsive policing in Pennsylvania.

5 Major Updates: Inside the City of Erie PA Police Department’s 2025 Crime Reduction and Modernization Drive
city of erie pa police department
city of erie pa police department

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