Middlesex police officer Randy Davison leaves the station at 8:05 a.m. Monday to handle the first call of the day. After being eliminated by township supervisors in December, the force was reinstated due to an arbitrator's ruling.

MIDDLESEX TWP — Denise Hoover jumped up and down on Monday and hooted "Look at you! You're back!" before throwing her arms around returning township police officer Randy Davison for an enthusiastic hug.

Davison, who was furloughed along with his six peers in December when the entire police department was dissolved by the township supervisors, is getting used to Hoover's type of reaction since the officers returned on Sunday morning.

"On my first patrol Sunday morning, people were waving and blowing their horns," said Davison.

On Monday "a group of parents waiting at the bus stop with their kids held up (Welcome Back Middlesex Police) signs," he said.

"We're getting a really warm reception which makes us feel good, because this is a really great community."

The supervisors on Dec. 1 voted to eliminate the full-time police department to put its $500,000 budget toward repair of the township's badly deteriorating roads.

Officers filed a grievance that went before an arbitrator when the township and police officers could not reach an agreement. That arbitrator in April ruled the police must be reinstated with back pay until their current contract expires on Jan. 1, 2008.

The police officially returned on Sunday morning, but the township has appealed the arbitrator's decision. A county court judge could decide on the appeal by the end of the month.

All officers returned except former chief Ed Brooks, who is now an assistant chief of police in Adams Township.

But neither the legal wrangling between the officers and the township nor the 2008 deadline has affected morale, said Davison.

"The officers who have worked so far are out working hard, and the ones that haven't yet can't wait to get back," he said.

Hoover, who is a member of the planning commission, said she feels safe and secure now the police officers are just around the corner. Middlesex relied on state police protection since January.

"I knew they wouldn't be gone long," said Hoover. "The township feels complete again."

As of Monday the state police had not been notified the township police are back. Once they are notified, state police will return to their former policy of not going to Middlesex unless requested, according to Sgt. Tony Aulicino of the state police in Butler.

Davison said a family was waiting for him when he started his daylight shift on Sunday with a cake and a card. Just a few minutes later, another family came in with a huge fruit basket for the officers. "Welcome Back Middlesex Police" signs dot the township.

Resident Kelly Hibbs, who strolled on the new walking trail behind the municipal building with her children on Monday, said she is relieved the officers are on duty.

"I thought the state police patrolled pretty well," said Hibbs. "However, I'm glad to have our own policemen back."

Bruce Edwards, the general manager at H.P. Starr Lumber on Route 8, said he always appreciated the township police presence near his business. He thinks thieves and vandals may have passed the business by because of the amount of patrolling the Middlesex force did overnight.

"We are happy to have them back, and hope they're able to work things out with the township so we can continue to have a police force after 2008," Edwards said.

Ed Doyle, who owns Up N Running along Route 8, said the township officers responded quickly to the few minor incidents he has reported in the past few years, such as speeding in his parking lot.

"I'm glad they're back," said Doyle. "I appreciate their presence."