Canonsburg police chief sworn in
Alexander Coghill always wanted the opportunity to lead a police department.
Now, he is getting his chance.
Coghill was sworn in Monday as the chief of Canonsburg’s police department after spending almost 24 years on the force, including the last 16 years as detective and decade as a sergeant. He takes over for R.T. Bell, who retired Dec. 31 after a 47-year career with the department, including the last 36 years as chief.
Coghill was pegged as the department’s new chief by Canonsburg council in August after being recommended for the post by the borough civil service commission at a council meeting the previous month.
The early appointment gave Coghill almost five months to work with Bell as part of the transition.
“It was helpful working with him,” he said. “Even though I know our system, it would have been difficult to come in on day one and take over the administrative duties. This way, I got to work with him on some of those things like schedules and budgeting.”
Coghill said he inherited an outstanding police department, both in manpower and equipment.
Several officers specialize in various areas in the department that has 14 full-time officers, including the chief, and one part-time officer. Two officers are on the Washington Regional SWAT unit.
One is certified in motor carrier enforcement. Several officers are experienced narcotics investigators. One is assigned with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency while others are members of the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force. Several officers specialize in traffic enforcement.
“We have a well-rounded department,” Coghill said. “I want to maximize these specialties.”
His first goal is to increase training for the officers, especially in the areas of officer safety and firearms.
“With everything going on today, it is important; not just qualifying with the firearm,” Coghill said. “I plan on increasing the ‘Shoot, Don’t Shoot’ training.”
Coghill said Officer Louis Bailey will set up a simulator and conduct in-house training. The training uses lasers that are replicas of the service weapons used by officers in the department, he added.
Coghill also is implementing online training for the officers. Officers complete assigned courses on their own time or when they are on duty.
“I believe they like taking advantage of these courses,” he added. “And by doing it in-house, we are not wasting time traveling.”
He also will continue to fight to get drugs off the streets of the borough.
“I firmly believe that most of our crimes come from drugs,” Coghill said. “And we have the means to work on it thanks to our equitable sharing partnership with the DEA.”
Coghill plans to return crime-prevention seminars to the community calendar, probably in the fall.
“These will be geared toward more relevant issues in the borough,” he said. “Seminars give a lot more information to the whole community as opposed to crime-watch programs.”
Coghill said that crime watch programs require assigning an officer to it full time, putting a drain on the department’s resources.
Residents may also see an little more “spit and polish” from the officers out on patrol, Coghill added, as part of his plans to maintain a professional relationship with the public. He also plans to explore the possibility of getting the department on social media.
Coghill has been preparing himself for his new role for several years. In 2010, he was selected by representatives of the FBI field office in Pittsburgh to attend the FBI’s National Academy Program in Quantico, Va. He also received certification from the Police Executive Development Program at Penn State University.
As a member of the drug task force for 12 years, he oversaw 20 narcotics detectives in addition to developing and training new detectives. During his career, he received several commendations and medals, including one from the Recording industry Association of America stemming from his investigation into piracy in the industry. He also has received recognition stemming from drug arrests, including one involving a large cocaine distribution ring.
Taking over as the department’s investigator is Detective Michael Ledger. He joined the department as a patrolman in March 1999.