New Cumberland Twp. police chief begins watch
James Vogel, Cumberland Township’s new police chief, is sworn-in Monday at the township municipal building.
Rayne Vogel pins a badge on her husband, James Vogel, during his swearing-in as the new Cumberland Township police chief Monday.
CARMICHAELS – James Vogel wanted a change of pace for his family, so he retired after 23 years with Pittsburgh police and moved to Cumberland Township to become its new police chief.
“I have a young family and I wanted my children to have an opportunity to grow up in a community that had values that were a little slower and old-fashioned,” Vogel said Monday during his swearing-in ceremony at the Cumberland Township municipal building.
Vogel, 50, was hired as the department’s police chief after a four-month search to replace former chief Craig Miller, who submitted his resignation in June, although he will remain with the department as a patrolman.
Vogel’s wife, Rayne, and their two children Sage, 11, and Vicky, 9, are still looking for a house in Cumberland, which he called a “quiet and capable” area to raise a family. Vogel said they were also very pleased with Carmichaels Area School District.
After serving in the Navy, Vogel began his career, at age 25, with Pittsburgh police in 1994. He recently retired as a sergeant and was named the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officer of the Year in 2015.
“That’s the only job I ever wanted – to be a Pittsburgh city police officer,” Vogel said. “But I found out, I can transition and change and have an opportunity here.”
Vogel said he received plenty of support from his friends and co-workers in Pittsburgh at his retirement.
“It was a bittersweet moment,” he said.
Vogel said he wants to keep moving the Cumberland department forward, which he said is the direction it’s been going.
“We’re going to continue with our traditions here,” he said. “And with our care of the community. We will strive to get better at what we do – protecting the community.”
Vogel said he’d like to bring in more resources to the department and put “more individual attention to crimes that involve long investigations.”
He also said he would like to “roll out” a program for officers to carry naloxone, the opioid antidote, by summer and get the department additional first aid training.
“I’m a peace officer and those who follow me will be peace officers,” he said.
Vogel will be paid $22.20 per hour and receive full benefits.