Call 911 for emergency and 610-489-9332 for non-emergencies and outside business hours
The Collegeville Police Department (CPD) is located in the Borough of Collegeville and serves the residents of the Borough. They also serve the Ursinus College Campus – located in the Borough – and provide assistance to departments in local municipalities. Those departments in turn provide assistance to the CPD. CPD officer’s duties include patrolling, enforcing vehicle laws, responding to calls and complaints, investigating crimes, and making arrests. The CPD has 8 full-time officers.
The Collegeville Police Department is located at 491 East Main Street in the Collegeville Borough Municipal building. You can find it fast on the Community Map. To find out about our Officers and some of the key programs the Department is involved in, visit the links below.
History
The Collegeville Police Department began life in 1940 when George Moyer was appointed the Borough’s first Police Officer. Moyer was paid $25 a week and served until 1954.
Moyer was succeeded by Richard McClure, a veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. McClure served until his retirement in 1969. That year, John McKernan became police chief and John R. Clawson was hired as his assistant.
During part of the 1970’s, the Borough of Trappe contributed $14,000 a year for police protection from the Collegeville force. This was discontinued in 1978. In 1979, John Clawson became police chief and police headquarters moved from the former Trappe schoolhouse to the College Court Apartments on W. Fifth Avenue. The CPD moved into it’s current headquarters in 1996.
In 1999, after 30 years with the Department, Chief John R.Clawson retired. He was replaced by Bart Bucher, an 11-year veteran of the force.
Meet the Chief
Chief of Police John Barnshaw
Chief Barnshaw grew up in Perkiomen Township and graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School. He has been a dedicated member of our Collegeville Borough Police Force for 22 years. Many residents already know him for his work in the community, including through the “Community Connect” meetings at the Perkiomen Valley School District, and his work at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School. He has also conducted safety talks in local schools and community organizations, and has served as a Lower Perkiomen Little League Coach and Perkiomen Valley Flag Football Coach.
During his tenure with the Borough’s Police force, Chief Barnshaw has supervised Collegeville’s new officers in their in-service training, and since 2008 he has acted as the department’s taser instructor. Chief Barnshaw has engaged in exercises to prepare for active shooters and for radiological emergencies. He also created the department’s social media presence https://www.facebook.com/CollegevilleBoroPolice/ Additionally, Chief Barnshaw has been assigned to the Special Unit of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force and the Valley Forge Area DUI Enforcement Team.
Others goals for the department include:
- Work with the Mayor and Borough Council to address problems that are detrimental to the community
- Make residents more aware that the Police Department is accessible and can be called upon at any time for assistance
- Monitor the activities along the Borough of Collegeville portion of the Perkiomen Trail
Traffic Safety
Speed Enforcement
In response to the many requests from Borough residents about speeding and other behavior on Borough streets, the Collegeville Police Department has instituted a measured enforcement campaign. Posted speed limits are strictly enforced in the Borough of Collegeville.
SMART
The Collegeville Police Department also uses a Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer (SMART), a portable, self contained speed display unit that is used at sites with speed related problems. A radar unit mounted inside the locked trailer clocks the speed of passing motorists. Motorists then see their speed displayed on a highly visible LED (light emitting diode) amber display. The speed limit sign above the display reminds the motorist to pay attention to the speed limit.
The Speed Monitoring Awareness Trailer is designed as a public relations tool and promotes a positive attitude toward the speed limit.
The trailer can be used in school zones, residential neighborhoods, construction sites and high-risk accident locations. The trailer allows our Department to promote awareness of the speed limit in the Borough while our Officers are handling other assignments.
Special Forces
Montgomery County SWAT – Western Region (MSWAT – West)
The Collegeville Police Department is also a member of the Montgomery County SWAT – Western Region Team. MSWAT – West is comprised of Police Officers from Collegeville, Royersford and Pottstown Boroughs, and from West Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, Lower Pottsgrove, Douglass, New Hanover, Upper Providence, Limerick, North Coventry (Chester County), and Colebrookdale (Berks County) Townships. MSWAT – West provides each participating Department the capability of a specially trained and equipped team of officers to respond to “high risk” incidents. Examples of “high risk” incidents include barricaded persons, hostage situations, and warrant services. MSWAT – West members can serve as crisis negotiators, snipers entry operators and tactical paramedics.
