STAR Team
Special Tactics and Rescue Team (STAR)

The Bloomsburg Police Department is a charter member of the Columbia County STAR team. The team was established in the early 1990's and is comprised of municipal police officers from the county police agencies. The STAR team responds to High-Risk incidents, such as barricaded persons, and hostage situations. The team is also utilized by the county Narcotics Task Force to serve high-risk search or arrest warrants. The team trains monthly and members have trained with other police agencies like the LAPD SWAT Team, US Park Police SWAT Team, Cincinnati Ohio SWAT Team, Philadelphia Bomb Squad and the FBI, to name a few.

K-9 Unit

** Watch a recent news clip here from the Geisinger Employee Health Fair this past June. The Bloomsburg K-9 Unit is often requested to give Public Relations demonstrations and informative talks to various groups.

The Bloomsburg Police Department K-9 Unit was formed in 1997. The Unit first consisted of one dog and one handler. Sgt. Roger Van Loan and K-9 Arrci, (pronounced Archie). Arrci is a German Shepherd imported from Czechoslovakia. The team performed routine patrol duties and narcotics detection. Arrci retired December 31, 2002 and now lives a life of ease with Sgt. Van Loan and his family.

In November of 2001 the Bloomsburg Police added a Bloodhound, Jasmine to the K-9 Unit. The A.L.I.E. Foundation in Colorado donated Jasmine to the Police Department. Sgt. Van Loan also handles Jasmine. As a team the only purpose of this team is "Main Trailing." Bloodhounds are renowned for their ability to trail humans. Sgt. Van Loan and Jasmine are available to trail either criminal suspects or lost and missing persons. Sgt. Van Loan and Jasmine train with the National Police Bloodhound Association.

In February 2003, the Bloomsburg Police Department was able to add two dogs to the K-9 Unit. This was possible with donations from the private individuals and businesses in the Bloomsburg area. In addition to Jasmine, Sgt. Van Loan handles a 2-year-old German Shepherd named Artur imported from Hungary. After an intensive training period, Sgt. Van Loan and Artur certified as an Explosive Detection/Patrol Dog Team. The Team performs routine patrol duties and explosive detection.

Ptlm. Matthew Golla handles a 15-month-old German Shepherd named Bach also imported from Hungary. Ptlm. Golla and Bach attended an intensive K-9 training academy and certified as a dual purpose Narcotics/Patrol Dog Team. This Team performs routine patrol duties and narcotics detection. Both Sgt. Van Loan and Ptlm. Golla and their K-9s are certified through the National Police Work Dog Association and the Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association. The K-9 Units respond to most critical incidents within the Town of Bloomsburg and assist other jurisdictions within the county as requested.