Crafton police chief reports evidence-room cleanup work, equipment upgrades and staffing changes

Chief Ford updated Crafton Borough Council on July 24 about a range of police department operations, including an ongoing evidence-room cleanout, planned equipment upgrades and personnel role changes.

Ford said the department is engaged in a lengthy, legally prescribed review and disposition of decades of held evidence (firearms, drugs, money and other items). He said the work is time-consuming because statutory requirements govern handling and disposition. "We have probably decades... of evidence that have to be gone through... it's a very long and tedious process," he said, and that the department is staging the project and assigning a custodial officer to the effort.

The chief said the department is moving toward a new payroll platform (Paycor) that should replace the borough's antiquated payroll system, and that new firearms and Tasers (Taser 10) have been ordered with an aim to certify officers later this fall. He explained the department is coordinating trainer certification before full roll-out to all officers.

Ford also described facility changes: converting a downstairs EMS room to a locker/lounge to allow the upstairs space to be converted into a compliant evidence room with staging for packaging and security camera coverage. He said officers reported readiness for expanded responsibilities after recent role changes.

Ending: Ford said he would continue to brief council as the evidence-room project proceeds and when equipment deliveries and training dates become firm.