The City of Berwyn Park is located in the central region of one of the richest counties in the United States, Lakewood County, which is just east of the nation’s capital. Even though Berwyn Park is the largest city in the county, they face numerous challenges, more than some of the biggest police agencies within a 100 mile radius. The Berwyn Park Police Department was created near the beginning of the year 2000 and has grown in numbers. Just like any other agency or more so than most, they have a high turnover rate of officers resigning and going to neighboring agencies, bigger police departments, or just in another career field all together.
Many romances have come and gone within the agency and in some cases life-long partnerships have come out of it. Like everywhere else they have the same issues when it comes to funding, equipment, and personnel. Even though the department is funded by the city they are also getting funding from the local college, Mid-Atlantic University, who has an agreement with the city to allow Berwyn Park police officers to patrol the university grounds and enforce their policies while having full authority since the campus and it’s properties belong to the state.
The agreement between the city and the university is still in its early stages of growing pains, since the signing of the contract in 2005. The chief of police for Berwyn Park Police Department is a military veteran and has a hardcore way of doing things. He doesn’t see things eye to eye with the mayor in some cases, but he gets the job done and does what needs to be done to keep the citizens safe of Berwyn Park. Since the city is within close proximity of the nationa’s capital they call upon the county police on the regular for assistance and to make up for their lack of resources since the agency is so young. The relationship between Berwyn Park and Lakewood County Police Departments is on an even playing field. Although the county police doesn’t patrol the city as much anymore, some still look upon the city police as babies in an adult world.
All these challenges face the Berwyn Park Police Department daily and they continue to face scrutiny from politicians and even some of their own citizens. The growing pains of a new agency can be hard, but the loyalty, confidence, and dedication of the officers will allow the city and agency to prevail.
Season begins (To Be Announced at a later date.)