Mike Vogel prides himself on learning from others.

Now Vogel, Allegheny County Housing Authority police chief since 1998, will be doing that on a statewide scale.

Vogel, 57, of Bethel Park, was installed as president of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association in July.

His tenure begins during a time of hot-button topics in law enforcement, including recruitment and retention efforts, the nation’s mental health crisis, regionalization of police departments and community relations.

As president, he will lead several initiatives, including training and recruitment. The organization is funded by the governor’s office, and its duties include weighing in on pending legislation as well as establishing best policing practices statewide.

“That’s a pivotal role we have in consultation with the governor’s office on legislative matters,” Vogel said.

Recruitment and retention

People are losing interest in joining law enforcement, Vogel said.

According to 2023 statistics from the Police Executive Research Foundation, police agencies are losing officers faster than they can hire new ones.

“It’s a different culture. When I was born and raised, you looked up to an officer,” he said. Now, “People don’t want to put their lives on the line. It’s a difficult job.”

Other challenges are pay and interest in other professions. He pointed to the trades, where people could make more money in a safer environment.

“It’s difficult because police officers work 24/7 and they work holidays. The shifts are daunting,” he said. “It takes a toll on your body and mind.”

He is hoping the state can find a solution to solve pay disparities between departments. Having a more even playing field could keep officers with a department longer, he said.

Vogel plans to continue to bolster the hiring process through the association’s job posting board, which he calls a “one-stop shop.” That attracts eyes nationwide for those interested in law enforcement jobs in Pennsylvania, he said.

“It’s the best way to market a job,” he said. “Everybody’s looking at that.”

Diversity is key to hiring, Vogel said.

“Everybody needs to be represented, especially when dealing with specific situations, specific subjects,” he said. “It’s best we try to recruit as many individuals that have aspirations of being a police officer.”

A fall 2023 change that removed the requirement for state troopers to have college credits increased applications to the department. That’s a decision Vogel agrees with.

“Some of the finest officers out there have GEDs,” Vogel said.

He stresses to his new officers that it’s important to do what’s right.

“When I hire new officers, I tell them they need to lead by example and treat people how you want to be treated,” he said. “Practice what you preach.”

Regionalization

Vogel said he is a “big proponent” of regionalization, an increasingly more common trend in local communities.

The Blawnox and O’Hara police departments recently announced intentions to merge. The Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department, which covers East Pittsburgh, Rankin and North Braddock, opened earlier this year.

Southern Armstrong Regional police serve Freeport, Gilpin and Ford City. Leechburg and Parks Township are in the process of considering whether to create another regional force. Apollo, North Apollo and Kiski recently have joined that conversation, as well.

Five years ago, the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department was created and now serves East Deer, Springdale Township and Cheswick.

When done correctly, regionalization gives smaller departments more stability with staffing, resources and coverage, Vogel said.

He said departments within Allegheny County are fortunate to have the assistance and resources from the county police force.

“We would not be able to function without county police,” he said. “County police is a lifeline through general investigations and homicide (investigations).”

Mental health

Arrests and incarceration aren’t the solutions to people in a mental health crisis, Vogel said.

“People need help,” Vogel said. “You can’t just arrest people.

“They’re not getting the treatment, and they get arrested as soon as they get released. They need treatment, whether it’s medication, counseling or hospitalization.”

One initiative soon to be underway in his department — as well as the police forces in McKees Rocks, Penn Hills and Monroeville — is an alternative 911 system that sets criteria on law enforcement and counselors responding to calls.

The initiative gives the call-taker options of whom should be dispatched to a certain call. Options could be just counselors responding, just police responding, a dual response of counselor-officer or a follow-up of an officer first and then a counselor.

“I think the officers are going to buy into it,” he said.

As an example, Vogel mentioned that a “302,” or involuntary commitment, could tie up an officer for hours, while a counselor is capable of handling the situation. That would enable the officer to focus on more serious crimes.

“In the long run, (officers) will be very happy,” he said. “It frees them up to do policing.”

Officers’ mental health also is of concern, Vogel said.

“The numbers are rising with police officer suicides,” he said. “They’re on scene for a homicide or suicide. The anguish they go through — this stuff builds up inside of them.”

He said the association offers programs for mental health for law enforcement personnel.

Community relations

Something as simple as walking a beat and interacting with the community can be advantageous to policing.

“That’s the key to success. If you have a rapport with your community, it’ll pay huge dividends,” he said. “They’ll be there to protect you, they’ll be your eyes and ears.”

Housing Authority police began increased foot patrols in Harrison’s Sheldon Park community this summer in response to a nonfatal shooting. Both officials and people in the community say the presence has diffused situations and lowered the number of calls for service.

In the summer, Vogel encourages his officers to walk the authority’s communities when they have the time. In the winter, visits to the high-rises often put smiles on senior citizens’ faces, he said.

“Partnerships and networking are the key to success,” he said.

Networking

When attending different police forums, Vogel has made it a point in his career to talk with different departments to learn from them.

“I always say, ‘Don’t stick with the clique,’” Vogel said. “This is a valuable opportunity to get out and learn from others’ successes and learn from their failures, too.”

He became police chief of the Allegheny County Housing Authority when he was 31. Prior experience included working as a part-time officer in North Braddock and a stint in District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.’s office.

Vogel is a co-chair of County Executive Sara Innamorato’s “Safe Communities and Justice for All” transition team as well as her search committee for a new warden at the county jail.

He said he is looking for a warden candidate with people skills and a “proven track record” — “someone who has demonstrated they’ve gone into a jail and done something tangible.”

Innamorato said she is looking forward to Vogel’s leadership on law enforcement issues statewide.

“During my tenure as the vice chair of the Allegheny County Housing Authority board, I got to see Chief Vogel’s commitment to the health, safety and well-being of Housing Authority residents and the public,” she said. “He is a champion for proactive community policing, human services investments in public safety and alternative response models.”

Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.