Description
The Chief of Police is appointed by, and reports directly to, a three (3) member Board of Supervisors (BOS) with staggered six (6) year terms. The Chief also works in close partnership with the Township Manager and department heads to ensure alignment between police operations and broader Township goals.
The Uwchlan Township Police Department (UTPD) is authorized for 22 full-time sworn officers, including the Chief of Police, one lieutenant, four patrol sergeants, twelve Patrol Officers, one detective sergeant, one detective, two Traffic Safety Officers, and two administrative staff members. The department operates under a 2025 budget of $5,660,760. All sworn officers, except the Chief of Police and Lieutenant, are represented by a collective bargaining agreement.
The Chief of Police is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the department, ensuring fair and professional policing, and building and maintaining trust with both the community and Township staff. The Chief must demonstrate a commitment to accountability, transparency, and equity in policing, while fostering a positive organizational culture within the department.
The Chief is expected to maintain a highly collaborative working relationship with the Township Manager to coordinate police services with the Township’s overall operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Directing all operations of the Uwchlan Police Department, including planning, staffing, budgeting, policy development, training, and performance management.
- Serving as the public face of the department in interactions with the community, media, and partner agencies.
- Ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and Township policies while advancing best practices in modern policing.
- Leading efforts related to departmental accreditation, technology implementation, body-worn cameras, data-driven and community-oriented policing, mental health partnerships, and other innovations.
- Representing the Police Department at Board of Supervisor meetings, community forums, and interagency collaborations.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field; a Master’s Degree is preferred.
- A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in local law enforcement and crime prevention, with a minimum of 5 years in a supervisory and/or command staff capacity with proven administrative and supervisory responsibility or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience.
- Demonstrated/verifiable experience utilizing sound and effective public safety leadership techniques to establish goals and achieve results within financial and other resource limits.
- Ability to analyze and resolve issues with innovative creativity with a proven record of leading with high personal integrity and ethical behavior and a record of successful resolution of labor/management issues.
- FBI National Academy or Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, or similar advanced leadership training is preferred.
- Must be certified as a Pennsylvania police officer under Act 120 (or ability to obtain) and have a valid driver’s license.
