Police Department

Emergency Phone - 911

Office Phone: (814) 781-1315

City of St. Marys

Police Department

319 Erie Avenue

St. Marys, PA 1585

Office hours: Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Telephone: (814) 781-1315

Dispatch: (814) 772-0000

FAX:  (814) 834-2517

smpd@stmaryspa.gov  

The City of St. Marys Police Department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a goal of providing a safe and secure community for our approximately 12,500 residents. Our agency is currently staffed by:

Chief of Police

4 Sergeants

10 Officers

1 Part-Time Officer

2 Admin/Police Records Assistants

1 Parking Enforcement Officer

1 School Crossing Guard

1 Station Custodian

Our Officers respond to 7,000+ calls for service per year within a jurisdiction covering 98 square miles. The area includes a patrol response to nearly 100 miles of roadways.


The City of St. Marys Police Department is dedicated to officer development providing ongoing training in order to assure our Police Officers are ready to efficiently and effectively respond to most any incident. 


We engage with our town through programs such as D.A.R.E., visits with our K-9, station tours and other community-based programs. 

A MedReturn unused prescription medication collection box is available in our lobby any time. This is provided for the safe disposal of expired or unused prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Crash investigation reports are available through CRASHDOCS.ORG. The investigation incident number is required to access the report on CRASHDOCS.ORG. Please contact the police department if you need this number. Reports may not be immediately available due to completion of the investigation and processing time by CRASHDOCS.ORG. The cost for a crash report is $15.00.

Note: Per statute, crash investigation reports are available only to any person involved in the accident, their attorney or insurer, and to the Federal Government, branches of the military service, Commonwealth agencies, and to officials of political subdivisions and to agencies of other states and nations and their political subdivisions.

D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors.

Community Oriented

The Officers and staff of the City of St. Marys Police Department are committed and dedicated to protecting the lives and property of our citizens as well as participating in activities and events that promote the safety and well being of our community. Annual training and education opportunities enable police officers to continually learn and enhance this ability, expanding their knowledge and skills to achieve our mission.


Officers are further involved as coaches for various sports events, church activities, and are members of numerous organizations within the community where there participation reflects the ongoing commitment to the safety and well being of everyone.

Drug Enforcement

The Officers of the City of St. Marys Police Department are very proactive in interdicting and prosecuting violations of Pennsylvania drug laws. Crimes that occur in the community are often linked to sale and consumption of controlled substance, therefore concentrating on drug enforcement is vital in reducing the occurrence of other offenses.

City of St. Marys Police Officers work in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General's North Central PA Drug Task Force. This collaboration allows investigations to reach beyond the boundaries of St. Marys, aiding the entire region.

Information related to illicit drug activity can be reported via the Elk County Drug tip line here.

K-9 Unit

K-9 OFFICER NANDO

K9 Nando is a German Shepard dog that originated from Germany and began is work as the City of St. Marys K9 in October of 2016. K9 Nando is training and certified as a police patrol canine and drug detection canine. He serves the Elk County area and has been used to assist law enforcement in many areas outside of Elk County as well.

K9 Nando and his handler, Sgt. Mike Shaffer, are a certified K9 team through the American Working Dog Association. They are very active in training and being deployed in their specialties. They are willing to participate in public demonstrations, just call the department and request. The K9 unit also accepts donations to aid in the progress of the unit.

Public Relations

Some of the Public Relation Program that are available from the St. Marys City Police Department are:

  • Station Tours
  • Public Speaking (Numerous Topics)
  • D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
  • Gun Lock Giveaway


To schedule a station tour or an Officer to speak at your public meeting, call the St. Marys City Police Department at (814) 781-1315.

Parking Services and Enforcement
Animal Control

The Animal Control Officer for the City of St. Marys can be reached by contacting (814) 594-5599.

  • The Animal Control Officer serves as an independent contractor to the City of St. Marys. If no answer is received, leave a voice mail or send a text for return contact.

  • The Animal Control Officer enforces City ordnances and state law regarding animal licensing, nuisance animals and related issues.

DOGS AT LARGE

  • It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or dogs to allow or permit such dog or dogs to run at large in the City of St. Marys.
  • Any police officer or the animal control officer may seize any dog found at large in the City. Such dogs will be impounded with the Elk County Humane Society.
  • Owners of licensed dogs will be notified by registered or certified mail, with return receipt, that the dog is impounded at the Elk County Humane Society.
  • If not claimed with five days after the return receipt has been received, the dog may be sold or given to the Elk County Humane Society for further disposition in accordance with the Dog Law.
  • Unlicensed dogs that are found running at large shall be seized and detained for a period of 48 hours;
  • At a licensed kennel or at the Elk County Humane Society, except for any dog which is seriously ill or injured or forfeited with the owner's permission.
  • After 48 hours, the dog may be retained by the Elk County Humane Society for further disposition.

UNREASONABLE NOISE

  • It is unlawful for any owner who, after receipt of a written waring from a police off or the Animal Control Officer, continues to keep or harbor any dog or other animal which by frequent barking, howling or other noise, cause an unreasonable disturbance to the residents of neighboring properties.

TRAPPING PROGRAM

  • The City of St. Marys is able to assist in the removal of nuisance animals through a trapping program in cooperation with the Game Commission Laws. The types of animals the City will place traps for are skunks, raccoons, possums, wild domesticated cats, and coyotes. The fee for placing traps is $15.00. If animals are caught there is an additional $20.00 fee per animal for removal.