New Cumberland Police Department

The New Cumberland Borough Police Department is a full-service police agency that provides public safety to the community 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The department is under the authority of the mayor and has an authorized strength of nine sworn officers consisting of one Chief, one Sergeant, one Corporal, six police officers and an Administrative Assistant. Two of our officers are members of the Cumberland County Special Response Team for tactical callouts. The officers patrol the Borough’s 1.7 square miles covering twenty-five miles of Borough streets with a population of approximately 8,000 people. We have two public schools and one catholic grade school in our jurisdiction.

We have six parks and multiple open spaces. We have a vibrant downtown area that includes restaurants, stores, shops, and boutiques. The borough has multiple community events throughout the year that are staffed by our officers. The officers are highly trained and well equipped to service the community. The department fosters a strong sense of community policing philosophy and engages the community on many levels. We enjoy tremendous support from our administration and the community alike.

Mission Statement

The mission of the New Cumberland Borough Police Department is to protect the right of all persons to be free from criminal attack, secure in their possessions and to live in peace. We adhere to our core values and serve the people by performing the law enforcement function in a fair, impartial and professional manner.

About Us

We are bounded by the shoreline of the mighty Susquehanna River at its confluence with the colorfully named Yellow Breeches Creek. We’ve been called many names from Shawnee town after the Native Americans who inhabited the Cumberland Valley to Chartier’s Landing in the 1700’s then to Haldeman’s Town and ultimately New Cumberland in 1827 just four years before we were incorporated into a borough of the Commonwealth.

From our first days we were both a place connected and a place apart. We were the center of trade and travel with early sawmills and granaries and a turnpike that served near York and Harrisburg and the growing cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore. We grew as a close-knit community with shops, restaurants, churches, schools, a theatre, and a library all centered mere steps from our lush green neighborhoods.

Today we are a Borough connected to our neighbors yet distinct in character. We are a collection of parks and playgrounds, diverse neighborhoods, and a walkable downtown. There is a sublime feeling here of comfort coupled with a fresh energy for the future. We are close to everything but far from ordinary.

We look to the future with fresh ideas. We are rediscovering our access to our river, creek, and parks. We are creating an artistic destination for the visual and performing arts. We are fostering unique shops, restaurants, and services that combine the energy of entrepreneurs with hometown service. We are both a welcoming community to newcomers and a place where generations still live.

About NCB Government

Form of Government
The Borough of New Cumberland exists under the Pennsylvania Borough Code Title 8 which is a statute adopted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly as the basic law governing boroughs. The borough is operated by a Council, Mayor, and appointed officials.

Borough Council is the governing body. Seven members of Council are elected at large for four-year terms, holding regular monthly meetings. Council is responsible for levying taxes, enacting ordinances and resolutions, establishing policies, providing services, appointing officials, and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of the borough residents.

The Mayor is also an elected position with a four-year term. Although not a member of the Borough Council, the Mayor may attend all Council meetings and take part in the discussions. The Mayor may cast the deciding vote when a tie occurs and may approve or veto every ordinance or tax resolution passed by Council. If the Mayor vetoes an ordinance or tax resolution, Council may override it with a two-thirds vote. The Mayor has the responsibility for the administration of the police department.

The Borough of New Cumberland operates under the Council-Manager form of government. This system combines the political leadership and representation of elected officials with the administrative and professional experience of an appointed manager. It is the manager’s responsibility to implement and oversee the policies and programs set forth by Council on a day-to-day basis.

Council also appoints professionals such as a Solicitor, an Auditor, an Engineer, and an Insurance Broker to act in consulting and advisory capacities. The Tax Collector and Constables are positions elected at large by the public.

Operations

The Borough provides a wide range of public services and programs through an Administrative Office, a Police Department, a Fire Department, Codes Enforcement and Zoning, Public Works, Community and Economic Development and a Public Library. Public parks are maintained by Public Works. Trash collection and recycling are under contract with Penn Waste. The building that houses the West Shore Senior Center, a social hub for adults 55 and older, is leased to Messiah Lifeways.