Manheim Borough Police Department Sergeant Jason Riggle started his policing career in western Pennsylvania, but after spending time helping his cousin move to and open an antique gallery in Lancaster, he recognized the opportunities in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

“My cousin moved out here from Pittsburgh and convinced me to check out the area,” Riggle said. “I liked the location – that it was closer to major East Coast cities and the shore – but still the same distance to the northern mountains of Pennsylvania.”

The job prospects were also better here in Lancaster for Riggle, who completed the Police Academy in 1998. During that time in western PA, a lot of officers worked part-time for multiple departments and there was usually a waiting list to get a full-time position until someone retired.

“I was making more money as a paramedic at the time, and I knew I wanted to concentrate on policing,” Riggle said. “I love western PA and the Pittsburgh area, but the job opportunities were not readily available.”

Riggle’s wife – fiancée at the time – is also a registered nurse and got a position at Lancaster General Hospital allowing them to be closer to her family in New Jersey, so they made the move.

Riggle applied and was hired by Penn Township Police Department – before it merged with Warwick and Clay Townships to form Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department – and worked there for 11 years. He began on patrol and eventually became a detective.

“I always liked being out on patrol and the street,” Riggle said. “I like interacting with people and being outdoors. I was a detective in Penn Township for a while and realized I like investigating vehicle crimes and crashes the most.”

After a brief stint with the East Earl Township Police Department, Riggle was hired with Manheim Borough in 2014; he’s been a sergeant for five years.

Riggle has investigated crimes such as auto theft, including white-collar crimes involving criminal organizations. He then attended several vehicle crash training courses over the years and became a certified Vehicle Crash Reconstructionist.

“It’s fulfilling to use your knowledge and figure out how to reconstruct a crash,” he said.

Riggle has also taken interest in the correlation between mental health and drug addiction, taking courses in psychology at Alvernia University as he works toward his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration.

He recognizes negative misconceptions of officers, such as them enjoying violence, always wanting to show authority, or harassing people, but officers have a duty to respond and investigate certain situations.

“Most police officers are very good people and care deeply about their image and work ethics,” Riggle said. “Except for a few officers, I believe that most negative feelings and experiences with police officers are lack of communications and perceptions.

“My strongest belief is better communication and understanding from both police and citizens will improve and increase the positive experiences and perception of police. This goes both ways; police understanding citizens’ wants and perceptions and police communicating with citizens and dispelling those negative perceptions by being more transparent.”

Riggle described himself as a typically family man and said he like to stay in shape and participate in hobbies such as fishing, working on vehicles, and building computers outside of work. He enjoys hiking and has taken trips out west to Arizona, Montana, and Wyoming. He’s learned to put police work aside while off duty throughout his lengthy career, which helps his mental health.

While Riggle did not grow up wanting to be a police officer, he was challenged while working as a paramedic in western PA by a friend in law enforcement to go to the academy. He hasn’t looked back since.

“Being a police officer gave me direction and a positive path to follow in life,” Riggle said. “I enjoy having the resources to try and help people in the community. Every day is unique and has new challenges. It requires you to think outside the box and be open to new ideas.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.