Baptist Road Reconstruction Project – Frequently Asked Questions
Whitehall Police Department
The Whitehall Borough Police Department was established in 1948. It is interesting to note that one of the reasons residents chose to succeed from a larger township was dissatisfaction with the level of police protection. Our agency has been ever mindful of the community’s expectations and diligently works to maintain professional police services for our residents, businesses and visitors.
Today, our Department employs (20) full-time police officers and (5) full time civilian support staff. Each member is highly trained with opportunities to specialize in a wide variety of law enforcement functions. Examples include criminal investigator, juvenile officer, and participation in Regional Response Teams such as Accident Reconstruction Team, Critical Incident Response Team, Cooperative Criminal Investigation Team, and Mobile Field Force.
In addition to basic law enforcement services, our Department maintains the Borough’s 24-hour Public Safety Communication Center for Police, Fire, EMS and Public Works. This service allows residents to report incidents and speak directly to a police department employee; provides a safe haven for those in need; and allows officers to dedicate more time to patrol and investigative activities.
In 2025, the department received accredited status from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, and is one of only 180 Pennsylvania police departments to achieve accreditation since the program’s inception in 2001.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Whitehall Borough Police Department to provide professional, knowledgeable, and community-oriented police services. Our Officers and support Staff accomplish this through compassion and respect for all individuals and partnering with community members to develop effective law enforcement strategies to reduce incidents of a crime and enhance the quality of life for our Residents, Businesses, and Visitors.
Call Us…
Emergencies: 911
Non-Emergency: (412) 884-1100
Animal Control: (412) 884-1100
General Inquiries: administration@whitehallboropd.gov
Meet Our Force
The Police Department employs 20 full-time police officers and seven support personnel.
Jason Gagorik
Police Chief
Chief Jason Gagorik has been a dedicated public safety professional for over 30 years. His experience includes progressive responsibilities and leadership roles in emergency medical service, law enforcement, and emergency management.
Chief Gagorik joined the Whitehall Borough Police Department in 2002. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014, Deputy Chief of Police in 2017, Emergency Management Coordinator in 2018, and Chief of Police in 2021. Additional assignments have included crisis negotiator, field training officer, lead investigator for crimes against children, and system administrator for many of the Department’s information technology projects.
Throughout his career, Chief Gagorik has also taken many educational courses to broaden his knowledge and sharpen his leadership skills. He received an Associated of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2007, Bachelor of Science of Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2010, and completed Session 480 of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command in 2020.
Chief Gagorik is committed to maintaining the Police Department’s tradition of providing courtesy and professional police services to the resident of Whitehall Borough. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to call him at 412-884-1100 or send an email to jgagorik@whitehallboropd.gov
Kurt Gaebel
Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Kurt Gaebel joined the Whitehall Borough Police Department in 2000. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and Deputy Chief of Police in 2021. In his current role, he serves as second in command of the police department and oversees criminal investigations, information technology systems, and accident and traffic investigations.
Over his career, Deputy Chief Gaebel has served in many capacities, which include Field Training Officer, Crime Prevention, Lead Accident Reconstructionist, Firearms and Less Lethal Instructor, MPOETC Training Instructor, and Employment Background Investigator. In addition, he also participated in several region response teams as a Tactical Element Leader for SHACOG CIRT and Accident Reconstructionist for SHACOG Accident Reconstruction Team.
Deputy Chief Gaebel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Westminster College and is a graduate from the Allegheny County Police Academy. He has completed classes from Penn State University in Field Training, POSIT and POLEX. He is also a certified instructor from the FBI instructor developmental course. The Deputy Chief can be contacted at kgaebel@whitehallboropd.gov
Sergeants
- Joseph Budd
- Korey Hinkle
- Daniel Bowman
- Christopher Mayburn
Officers
- Terry Bradford
- Scott Brown
- Joseph Lacko
- Mark Stephenson
- Brett Newbould
- Robert Smith
- Carl Morosetti
- Braden Seese
- James Lostetter
- Joseph Persichetti
- Nathan Meyer
- Giuseppe Valenti
- Ryan Griffin
- Andrew Haburjak
Dispatchers
- Marie Schwartzmeier
- Matthew Mabon
- Jessica Morgan
- Jaclyn Polky
- Anthony Szalla
- Paul Colberg
Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation
For over 75 years, the Whitehall Borough Police Department has been recognized as one of the more innovative law enforcement agencies in Western Pennsylvania. We were one of the first municipal police agencies to establish a fatal accident reconstruction team, incorporate the use of video technology into patrol activities, as well as being instrumental in the development of many regional initiatives such as a shared law enforcement records management system, multi-jurisdiction special response teams, and cooperative police training programs.
Despite these and many other notable accomplishments, the one that always seemed to elude us was achieving state law enforcement accreditation status. That’s why it brings us great pride to formally announce that the Whitehall Borough Police Department received the Pa Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission Award (PLEAC) on January 23, 2025.
PLEAC, introduced by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association in 2001, is a program designed to enhance the professionalism of law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is accomplished by ensuring internal policies and procedures, police facility, and vehicle fleet meet the 125 professional standards established by the commission.
Becoming an accredited law enforcement agency was no easy task. It was made possible through the hard work and dedication of our department members, along with the encouragement and support of our elected official. The accomplishment confirms that the Whitehall Borough Police Department is a modern, professional law enforcement agency that is forever committed to excellence.
To learn more about accreditation, please visit PCPA Accreditation Program.
