Mission and Values Statement
The members of the Miami Township Police Department are dedicated to protecting and servicing the citizens of Miami Township. We are committed to earning the respect of our community by providing the highest standard of professionalism, integrity and courage. We believe in continuing professional growth through education and training.
We strive to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of the entire community by utilizing available resources, as well as collective and individual talents. Citizen input and involvement is viewed as a valuable resource. We strive to foster community stability by providing assistance to those who cannot care for themselves, protecting the innocent, and bringing offenders to justice.
Our mission will be accomplished by holding ourselves accountable to the highest level of honesty, truthfulness, and ethical conduct without regard to race, creed, religion or social status.
History
Before the Miami Township Police Department was formed in the mid 1950′s the only form of law enforcement was a one-man volunteer constable system. According to historical documents, the original Miami Township Police Department was located at what is now Fire Station Number 2 at the comer of Jomar Avenue and Springboro Pike. The Police Chief at that time was Albert Engle who headed the Department until 1959.
From 1959 until 1963 Chief Estis Lawrence served as Chief of Police and continued to serve a rapidly growing community. During 1960, the Miami Township Police Department had only three patrol cars and a River Patrol Boat to use on the Miami River.
Chief Edward Woodward, served the community as Chief of Police from 1963 – 1978 while the business population prospered. The Dayton Mall was built and brought many more demands on the Police Department. During his command, the Police Department headquarters was moved to Miamisburg-Centerville Road, the current location of Wendy’s Restaurant. Officers patrolled the Dayton Mall area during this time by motorcycle. In 1969, the Police Department was relocated to 2700 Lyons Road, sharing space with the Township Administrative offices.
James Moore became Chief of Police in 1978 and served until 1988. During Chief Moore’s administration, the Township continued to enjoy rapid growth in both residential and business development. The Department began to function as a full-time agency. The increased demand for services and greater number of full-time officers made it necessary to move again. This move brought the Department to its current location, 2660 Lyons Road.
From 1988 until 1996, Chief Thomas Angel directed the Department. During Chief Angel’s administration, the Department was awarded International Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (C.A.L.E.A.). Miami Township was the second Township in Ohio to become accredited. The Police Department was expanded in 1995 in order to better meet the needs of the community and the officers.
John “Chris” Krug has been the Police Chief since November of 1996. Under Chief Krug’s guidance the Department has grown professionally. The members of the Department continue to work toward our mission of protecting and serving the citizens of Miami Township.
FAQ’s
How do I get to the Police Department?
The Department is located at 2660 Lyons Road. One block south of the Dayton Mall.
From Southbound I-75: Take exit 44 – Miamisburg-Centerville Road and turn left. Continue on Miamisburg-Centerville Road (St. Rt. 725) to the intersection of Springboro Pike (St. Rt. 741) and turn right. Continue on Springboro Pike to the intersection of Lyons Road and turn left. The Department is located just past Wal-Mart on Lyons Road.
From Northbound I-75: Take exit 44 – Miamisburg-Centerville Road and turn right. (Then follow the directions listed above.)
From Southbound I-675: Take exit 2. Go through the first stop light and continue to Yankee Road. Turn left on Yankee. Continue on Yankee to Lyons Road and turn right. The Department will be about one mile down the road on the left.
How do I know if I should call 911 or just the regular phone number?
In an emergency, call 911 immediately from any wired or wireless phone.
An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police department, fire department or emergency medical services. Examples include:
- A fire
- A crime, especially if it is in progress
- A car crash, especially if someone is injured
- A medical emergency, such as someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention
Important: If you’re not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, officials recommend calling 911 and letting the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help.
When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:
- The location of the emergency, including the street address
- The phone number you are calling from
- The nature of the emergency
Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of any injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency
Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly.
Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Many 911 centers can tell you exactly what to do to help in an emergency until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is chocking or needs first aid or CPR.
Finally, do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to hang up.
If you dial 911 by mistake, or if a child in your home dials 911 when no emergency exists, do not hang up—that could make 911 officials think that an emergency exists, and possibly send responders to your location. Instead, simply explain to the call-taker what happened.
If you are in need of non-emergency police or fire service, in other words an emergency does not exist and you don’t need an immediate police, fire, or EMS response, please call (937) 433-4400.
A call-taker will answer your call, and again through a series of questions, determine your needs and the best possible method of providing th
How do I obtain a copy of a police report?
A police report can be obtained from our friendly and professional Records Section Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. There is no cost for a request (i.e., report) that is less than 25 pages in length. A request that is 26 or more pages is $0.05 per page starting with the first page. The average length of a report is two to four pages. Generally, copies of reports are available five business days after the incident. The phone number for the Records Section is (937) 433-2301.
I am planning on going on vacation soon, will the police check my house?
Yes, as a service to the citizens of Miami Township, the Police Department provides a “vacation house check” service. A few hours before you leave for vacation, give our courteous dispatchers a call at (937) 225-4357 and provide them with information about your house while you are away, and, if possible, include the name of a person with emergency access to your house. As time permits, our diligent officers will check your house periodically while you are away.
I need to get fingerprinted, what do I have to do?
Miami Township Police Department no longer offers fingerprinting services.
Washington Township offers fingerprinting services. Click here for Washington Township’s fingerprint services information.
For additional fingerprint service availability in Montgomery County and Ohio go to the Background section of the Ohio Attorney General’s website.
I want to report a crime in my neighborhood, but do not want to give my name. What should I do?
The Miami Township Police Department is equipped with an anonymous “tips” line. If you would like to report a crime, but do not want to leave your name call: (937) 434-TIPS (937-434-8477). This line is answered by a machine, and is completely anonymous.
I would like to start a Neighborhood Watch Group in my neighborhood, what should I do?
Neighborhood Watch is a valuable crime prevention tool. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your area, contact Major John DiPietro during regular business hours at 433-2301.
My car has been towed, how do I get a tow release card?
The answer to this question also lies with our friendly and professional Records Section. If, due to some unforeseen circumstances, your car gets towed by our officers, you must have a Tow Release Card before you can retrieve your car from the tow yard. To obtain the card, come to the Records Section during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) with a copy of the car’s title, registration, and a valid picture ID.
In some instances, a release from the court will be required in order to allow Records Section personnel to be able to release a vehicle from the tow yard.
What information does the dispatcher need when I call?
The best answer to this question is to let the dispatcher ask the questions. Our dispatchers are professional and have been trained to get the needed information quickly and concisely. The dispatcher will need to know your name, address, and phone number, and a brief description of the events that led up to your phone call.
Shopping Center Security
Shopping centers come in all sizes from the giant regional malls to the small strip-center with only a few stores. What they have in common is a parking lot. This is where your family is at greatest risk because of the “nature” of a shopping center parking lot.The most common violent crimes committed in the parking lot are stranger-on-stranger purse snatch and strong-arm robbery and occasionally carjackings and abductions. If you think about it, we are all strangers in a large parking lot. Violent criminals can blend in with the rest of us and get in close proximity fairly easily. Criminal predators can walk right by us and we will allow it because of the public setting.Next time you go to a large shopping center, sit in the parking lot for a few minutes and observe how easy it would be for a criminal predator to approach and attack you or your family. Shoppers walk to and from their cars totally consumed by their thoughts and thinking about what they are going to do next. Watch shoppers as they approach their cars fumbling for their keys. They will turn their backs and attention completely away from those nearby to load their shopping bags into the car, and get children and infants installed inside the vehicle. Most shopping center and parking lot abductions and carjackings occur precisely at this point.
To protect your family in this setting, the best defense is awareness. Awareness will allow you to anticipate the potential danger and plan ahead for the next time you go to a shopping center. Planning includes selecting a safer time to shop (daylight) and arranging not to shop alone if possible. You can plan where to park (i.e. not next to a large enclosed can) and in high traffic areas. You can plan to scan the area for suspicious persons before parking and exiting your vehicle. You can also plan not to park or exit your vehicle if suspicious persons are in the area. Families should agree in advance to exit and enter their vehicle quickly and lock the doors. Families should be trained to look around their vehicle before approaching and retreat if anyone suspicious is loitering in the area. They should be trained to return quickly to the shopping center and alert mall security or call the police. A little awareness (educated-paranoia) is healthy and can keep your family safe.
Shopping Center Security Tips:
* Be aware and alert to predators in the parking lot.
* Plan when to go and where to park.
* Do not get out of the car if it’s not safe to do so.
* Scan the area around your car as you approach it.
* Teach your family to enter and exit the car quickly.
* Return to the store if anyone looks or acts suspicious.
* Call the police and notify mall security of any criminal activity.
