"We rely on their expertise in situations like that," he said.

State police experts might be asked to lift fingerprints, make castings of footprints or tire tracks, Derr said.

"Once or twice a year, we might send some evidence to them or to the state crime lab in Harrisburg for processing," he said.

Watsontown and Milton police often cooperate on investigations, Derr said, because the two departments have experts with specific training.

Cpl. Lynnette Quinn, a state police spokeswoman at the Harrisburg headquarters, said if a municipality requests assistance, it will be provided.

"We will honor that request, no matter what," she said. "We're responding (to Sunbury's request) and we'll continue to do so."

State police are not subject to the state's hiring freeze, Quinn said.

"If a vacancy occurs due to a transfer or promotion, it isn't filled automatically," she said. "However, we continue to have classes go through the State Police Academy, and as they graduate, they will receive assignments to fill vacancies."

Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo and Mayor Jesse Woodring began discussing turning investigations over to the state police months ago.

Mazzeo said the decision was based primarily on the costs associated with many investigations. Homicides and attempted homicides can cost $20,000 to $25,000 to investigate, Mazzeo said.

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