LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Wyoming Area Regional Police Chief Michael Turner is ready to close what he calls a great first chapter in the history of the now one-year-old department.
"I have a great leadership team that has the same mentality that I have about being professional, being accountable, and being loyal," said Wyoming Area Regional Police Chief Michael Turner.
Starting on January 1 of 2023, Wyoming Area Regional Police formed after the boroughs of Exeter, Wyoming, West Wyoming, West Pittston, and Exeter Township all decided to disband their individual departments for a larger regional one.
Chief Turner says this added experience and resources that, for the original individual departments, were hard to come by, "It changes the aspect of local departments. Now we are operating, obviously, as the third largest department in the county, but it brings professionalism, it brings accountability. It brings integrity. It brings loyalty."
Since he was appointed chief back in June, Turner says his officers have continued to make their presence known throughout the department's large footprint. Something residents and visitors say they see every day.
"I think it helps out the communities because there's more police involved. They are grouped together to patrol more areas," said Paul Jancouskas, Pittston.
"They were very quick to respond. I had an incident, and they were right on the money," said Peggy Miller, Exeter Township.
Chief Turner says he knows the department can't make everyone happy, but his officers will continue to follow the same words that mark each badge; service, honor, and integrity, "When my phone goes off, and it says, 'Hey, I had an interaction with your cop, I have to say they were very respectful.' That's what I wanna see."
Along with plans for additional funding and more department resources, Chief Turner is also looking forward to moving the police force into its new home.
He says the hope is to take over the former state police barracks on Wyoming Avenue in the coming months.