In 2024, the Fort Cherry School District celebrated the retirement of Chief Buchowski, who faithfully served our District and led the Fort Cherry School Police Department for many years. Following his retirement, FCSD entered into a contractual agreement with the Mount Pleasant Township Police Department to provide a Municipal School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to our schools during all instructional days.
This partnership ensures our SRO remains actively engaged in ongoing law enforcement training and community policing efforts, while also maintaining relationships with our students beyond the school setting. The agreement allows the District access to additional police department resources whenever needed and without incurring additional costs for extended or emergency coverage.
The SRO maintains a close professional relationship with school administration and interacts daily with staff and students. He collaborates closely with the District’s security personnel and the Director of Pupil Services. The Mount Pleasant Township Police Department also maintains strong connections with juvenile justice agencies to address student-related incidents with a focus on accountability, rehabilitation, and diversion when appropriate.
Our SRO, Officer Michael Dhanse, handles all law enforcement-related activities on campus during school hours. The Mount Pleasant Township Police Department provides coverage outside of school hours as needed. Officer Dhanse oversees and monitors the District’s upgraded camera and card access systems, investigates any violations of law on campus, and most importantly builds positive relationships with students through daily interactions that promote a community-oriented approach to policing.
Through Chief Matthew Tharp and Officer Dhanse, the Mount Pleasant Township Police Department continues to assist the District with safety planning, emergency drills, security procedures, staff safety trainings, and grant opportunities designed to enhance campus safety.
We are excited about this partnership and confident that it strengthens our commitment to keeping our students, staff, and visitors safe on campus. The District remains dedicated to advancing safety and security through new technologies, staff training, and maintaining security personnel during school and community events.
If you have concerns or information related to campus safety, please contact the District or dial 911. For non-emergency matters, you may email SRO Dhanse at
[email protected]
For law enforcement inquiries, please contact:
Chief Matthew Tharp
Mount Pleasant Township Police Department
108 Main Street, Hickory, PA 15340
Phone: 724-356-7917 ext. 812