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New State‑College‑area police chief introduces himself; supervisors press on assault reporting and animal protocols
Summary
Joe Merrill, newly appointed State College‑area police chief, told Harris Township supervisors he is "aware" of past reporting issues and that the data portion was "fixed since 2022." Supervisors and residents asked how the department handles sexual‑assault reporting and animal calls; the chief said he will follow up.
Joe Merrill, introduced to the board as the new State College‑area police chief, told Harris Township supervisors at their Feb. 9 meeting that he considers victim support and thorough investigation priorities and that prior problems with how incidents were classified in federal reporting systems have been addressed.
"It's my understanding, and I I've seen documentation of it, that the actual data portion of it has been fixed since 2022," Merrill said, adding that investigations of sexual‑assault reports "are investigated with the same vigor and seriousness" regardless of how federal categories label incidents. Merrill also said the department collaborates with victim advocates and the district attorney's office on prosecutorial decisions.
Residents pressed the chief on two topics. One asked whether the department is doing enough to encourage reporting after citing national estimates that many sexual assaults go unreported; Merrill said there are many reasons victims do not report and pointed to state grants that place advocates in the department to assist victims. Another resident described a years‑old incident in which an officer shot a captured, rabid fox in a crate and said the handling created a hazmat concern; Merrill said he has not yet reviewed the township's animal protocol and "I'll have to look into that for you, ma'am." He offered to follow up with staff and the resident.
The introduction followed an earlier, short executive session. Merrill described his local ties and said he views the position partly as a homecoming and is seeking to maintain collaborative relationships with neighboring agencies and the borough police as he settles into the role. He said officers currently are in a multi‑week in‑service training covering topics from hazardous materials to de‑escalation.
The board did not take any formal action on police policy at the meeting; Merrill pledged to provide additional information after staff compiles the relevant protocols and historical records.
