“Policing has changed. It’s changed more in the last five years than ever before,” Mt. Lebanon Police Chief Jason Haberman told the audience on opening night of the 2025 Citizens Police Academy (CPA).

“You’re getting a far more professional and far more dedicated officer,” continued Haberman.

Throughout the first two weeks of CPA, the instructors often referred to “post-George Floyd” and “post-COVID” policing, and said 2020 was a turning point for police departments across the country, including Mt. Lebanon. Haberman acknowledged, “We didn’t always do everything right,” but that the department is always striving to learn and grow. CPA participants will learn about department changes and procedures in upcoming weeks, including retention, recruitment, training and use of force.

The MLPD employs 46 officers and 70 civilians tasked with serving Mt. Lebanon’s 34,000 residents and the thousands more who visit our community each day. Of the 46 officers on board, many are new and young. MLPD had a department turnover of 50 percent in the last four years, according to Haberman. Much of the turnover happened after 2020 when MLPD faced mass retirements, said Lt. Pat O’Brien.

Lt. Mike Smakosz, who’s worked on recruitment for 28 years, showed the downward trends in applications. In 2013, an opening for police officer received more than 250 applications. By 2024, those applications dropped to 60. The MLPD is currently hiring one new officer, for which they received 47 applications. Still, Mt. Lebanon is faring better than neighboring communities, some of which only receive two to three applications per listing, according to Smakosz.

The changes in employment required MLPD to evolve and adapt, both to the needs of its employees and the community. Haberman explained training is more crucial than ever with so many new officers, to ensure they’re all equally competent in their roles.

“We have a very young department right now. Someone three years in may find themselves in a leadership role,” added O’Brien.

The new officers need to learn the department inside and out during field training and on patrol before they rise through the ranks. Throughout the three-month CPA, we’ll get a look inside all aspects of police operations, including patrol, defense tactics, firearms, drones and investigations, to name a few.

As we learn all about the MLPD, our instructors stressed that no question is off limits.

“We want you to feel almost like you work here,” said Cpl. Ty Kegarise, lead instructor of the 12-week academy. Kegarise just asked that in return, we keep an open mind.

A few of the things I’m most excited for in the coming weeks: firing a weapon at the gun range, trying out the 3D police scenario simulator and meeting K-9 Bear, the department’s bloodhound. In my opinion, the best part of Mt. Lebanon’s academies (police, fire and residents) are the hands-on elements that offer participants a chance to see municipal work in action. Granted, I may be biased as a municipal employee, but as a relatively new resident of Mt. Lebanon, I’m eager to learn more about the people tasked with safeguarding our community.