Irwin Police Chief Dan Wensel
Joe Napsha | Tribune-Review
Irwin Mayor William Hawley (left) swears into office Thomas E. Carnahan of Hempfield, who was hired as a part-time police officer on Wednesday, May 12.
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Irwin police have been taking steps to get out of their patrol cars and mingle with residents and will continue to emphasize community policing, the chief said Wednesday.
“The community is noticing” those efforts, Chief Dan Wensel told Mayor William Hawley and borough council on Wednesday.
When Wensel was promoted to chief in October, he said he would emphasize community policing. That entails officers getting out of their patrol car and walking in the downtown business district and meeting store owners. Wensel took over as the leader of the police department after being named acting chief when former chief Roger Pivirotto resigned last August.