Falls Township Police Celebrate 75 Years Of Service

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —For 75 years, the Falls Township Police Department has served its residents, navigating a growing population in its infancy to becoming a force for the future.

Earlier this month, the police department celebrated the 75th anniversary of its formation.

"From 1950 to 2025, 75 years, we’ve come a long way," the police department said. "Looking back, we have no idea how Chief Franklin Kirby was able to police a growing population, initially by himself, in a car without a radio, computer, or even air conditioning. We imagine the chief would similarly look through our lens of policing in 2025 and have no idea how we navigate the complexity of technology and the evolving role and responsibility of law enforcement in our current society."

Since Jan. 2, 1950, 164 township police officers have raised their hand and sworn an oath to protect and defend the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions along with protecting and defending the lives and property of all those who live, work, and travel through Falls Township.

Among that number are seven police chiefs are:

• Chief Franklin Kirby
• Chief Donald Beacraft
• Chief James Kettler
• Chief Arnold Conoline
• Public Safety Director Neil Harkins
• Chief William Wilcox
• Chief Nelson Whitney, II

The police department said that all of its police chiefs have contributed to the department’s professionalism and service provision to the community.

"The men and women of this agency, both active and retired, look extremely forward to
commemorating this diamond jubilee by making 2025 a year dedicated to service to the
community of Falls Township," police said. "We will be announcing various projects and events throughout the year as well as sharing memories, photographs, stories, and information to mark this important milestone."