Police Department

The basic obligations of the Mount Pleasant Township Police Department are to protect life and property and all rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, preventing abuse and injury wherever possible, to preserve the peace and maintain order, to control crime and apprehend offenders, and to enforce the law.  Response to the specific needs of the Township holds the highest priority.  The Mount Pleasant Township Police Department seeks to reduce crime and injury through preventative measures as well as immediate action in emergencies.  It attempts to determine the community’s wants and directs its resources toward controlling those crimes that are considered most serious, frightening, and economically damaging.  It seeks to protect life and limb by restricting the use of force to situations of absolute necessity.  It limits the exercise of authority to those functions prescribed by laws of the United States, the Commonwealth, and the Township making any violation a punishable offence.

The department is currently staffed with a full-time Chief of Police, a full-time School Resource Officer who is assigned to the Fort Cherry School District throughout the school year, 1 full-time Sergeant, 7 full-time Patrol Officers, and 4 part-time Officers when at full staff.  The department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The department has continued to progress forward as the resources and budget permits with the support of the communities we serve, the Boards of those communities, and the departments Chief and staff.  Chief Tharp has continued to work with the Mount Pleasant Township Board of Supervisors and Township Manager to advance responsibly but with urgency to ensure adequate coverage and staff are available at all times to provide professional police services for the folks who live, work in, and visit the communities we provide police services to.

We began contracting a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the Fort Cherry School District in 2024, which was a smooth transition.  The Fort Cherry School District Campus entirely resides in Mount Pleasant Township.  We had already had an excellent working relationship with their staff, students, and administration.  We look forward to the years ahead keeping that relationship strong and providing a full-time law enforcement presence to protect all of those that attend or visit that campus.

In 2025, we also began providing 24/7 law enforcement services to Robinson Township (Washington County).  Through contract we provide a limited number of patrol miles per day and respond 24/7 to emergency calls.  Though the contract does limit some services provided it has proven to be a successful partnership to help further build the department in a positive direction by assisting with resources to help both communities.

Since approximately 2023 the Chief has had numerous meetings regarding regionalization of police services.  Though this is supported by the Chief he also wants to ensure it is done correctly, and that any regionalization completed adds to the police services while also helping the tax payers with long term sustainability. 

At this present time (March 2026) a regional department has been created but not finalized or started.  The Northern Washington County Regional Police Department holds monthly board meetings held the third Tuesday of each month at either Mount Pleasant Township Municipal building, 31 McCarrell Road, Hickory, PA 15340, or McDonald Borough Municipal Building, 151 School Street, McDonald, PA 15057.

Please see the forms section for assistance in reference services we currently offer.  Those services include vacation home checks and on-street parking requests.  If you have further question’s that this site does not answer, please do not hesitate to contact the on-duty officer.  When requesting on street parking please first review the township ordinance as request are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Our department is covered by Magisterial District Judge 27-3-06, 3441 Millers Run Road, Suite 103, Cecil, PA 15321.  Our department is covered by Washington County District Attorney Jason M. Walsh, 1 S Main Street, #1003, Washington, PA 15301.

Animal Control services are provided by Kym Secreet, 724-503-4417.

Zoning services are provided by Municipal Code Consultants, Harold Ivery.

Code Enforcement services provided by United Code Consulting

For all police department right to know requests: Chief Matthew Tharp,      mtharp@mpt-pa.com, 724-356-7917

Please visit and follow the department on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/MPTPD

If you have an emergency, please dial 911.