Profile Chief Ed Bogats

Police Chief Ed Bogats, Jr, has been a member of the Bridgeville Police Department since November of 2003 and in his words, "It was the best career decision I ever made to come to Bridgeville". He likes the small town appeal and friendliness of the community. "Bridgeville has opened its arms and embraced me to where I feel a great closeness to everyone here", Bogats stated. Chief Bogats, Jr. has over 27 years of police experience and has worked for the following agencies; Oakdale Borough PD, Rosslyn Farms Borough PD, the State Attorney General's Office Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, Carnegie Borough PD and now Bridgeville PD. The Chief has a Master's Degree from Carnegie Mellon University and is currently working towards his Doctorate Degree at Northcentral University in Prescott Arizona. He is specializing in Terrorism and Counter Terrorism. In 2005, Chief Bogats, Jr. attended the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA during session # 222 and the Secret Service's Dignitary Protection School in April of 2007. Many changes have been made since Chief Bogats, Jr. took over a well managed department from Chief Russell McLeod who retired as Chief in September of 2003. Since then, the department has gone through a transition in regards to how they conduct the day to day business of providing public safety in Bridgeville. From a new look version of police vehicles, total computerization of the department and records, the addition of a K-9 unit, and utilizing each officer's individual skills and talents to best serve the mission of the department, the Bridgeville Police Department operates on the cutting edge of response to all types of calls for service and is improving how this is accomplished daily.

Inside the Bridgeville Fire Hall, police sergeant Gary James stands, aiming his five shot revolver and fires a pair of shots toward the belly of a would be assialant. But in reality, James just shot his boss, A little to the left of the solar plexus.

"I felt that one," police chief Ed Bogats said, taking off the vinyl red padded helmet. "Give me a minute to catch my breath."

By donning the RedMan protective suit to train James and officer Chris Manolakos in "Lamperd's Less Lethal" firearms system last week, Bogats was saving the Borough of Bridgeville $1,200 in outside training costs. The tradeoff was physical pain.

Fired at 250 feet-per-second from ten feet away, the sock round left a small black mark on the one-and-a-half inch foam rubber chest protector and a bright red welt on Bogats' midsection. It is like being struck with a baseball between 80 - 90 miles per hour.

"It knocked the wind out of me," Bogats said. "I started seeing stars. If I didn't have that protection on, forget it."

Bridgeville police are hoping that's what criminals will think after taking a shot or two from the devices on the streets.

Less-lethal munitions, so named because they have less of a potential to seriously injure an assailant than traditional bullets. But, there's still the chance for serious injury or death. Less Lethal Situations are ideal situations in which an officer wants to stop or disable an assailant from a distance without shooting them, Bogats said.

"This is something that if a department doesn't have now, they'll have in the near future because of risk management and liability" Bogats said.

Bridgeville has spent over $2,000 in federal funds to purchase the two Defender guns, along with ammunition that costs about $4.25 per round. He has recently purchased a Mossberg 500 tactical police shotgun to compliment their less lethal program."The 12 guage application gives us a greater distance now to operate from", stated Chief Bogats, Jr.

"It's pricey," Bogats said, "but when you look at it versus the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in liability that can come from a police shooting, it's worth its weight in gold."

Manolakos and James who are both pistol/shotgun and patrol rifle instructors are now certified instructors in using the weapon systems. The entire department is also certified and the weapon systems are now deployed in police vehicles.

K-9 ADDO - Came aboard the Bridgeville Police Department on September the 11th, 2006 and hit the streets running, literally. ADDO is a 4 year old German Sheppard from Holland. He was sworn in at a council meeting by Mayor Donald L. Dolde . Both the mayor and council were very supportive of the creation of this specialized unit. ADDO was intially chosen for the Dutch National Police Force but his handler, Officer James Lancia, was able to convince the Dutch Police that he would find a better fit with us here in Bridgeville. So ADDO's travel's lead him from Holland to Chicago to Bridgeville, PA where he is now a sworn member of our department and loyal member of our community. ADDO responds to commands by his handler Officer Lancia and has completed training in the following areas; tracking, suspect apprehension, narcotics detection and building searches. ADDO's intial cost was $6,000.00 which was paid for through grants and fund raisers conducted within the business community. We received help from State Senator John Pippy and our District Attorney Stephen A. Zappalla. ADDO, besides his duties with the department is assigned to the Allegheny County Drug Enforcment Narcotics Team and has assisted on many narcotics related details throughout the county. ADDO has his own specially equipped police car that is used to patrol with. When the weather permits, you can see ADDO walking in the business district with Officer Lancia. Along with many narcotics interdictions by ADDO he is also responsible for the apprehension of two individuals who are listed on the Megan's Law WEB site dealing with sexual offenders. Both were found within the borders of Bridgeville living in wooded areas. Addo works different shifts and has different days off, he continually trains with Officer Lancia and other K-9 units to keep his skill level superior. On the lighter side, ADDO loves kids as was shown recently at numerous events involving kids such as Career Day at Holy Child School on Station Street and during the Car Cruise last fall at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department. Be sure to look ADDO up this year at Community Day which is Saturday June the 21st, 2008.

All proceeds go to the K-9 Units annual training fund. Look for future K-9 gear to be made available during community day 2008. Visit our booth at the Community Day Car Cruise set for June 21st, 2008 in the parking lot of La Bella Bean.