The Township of Lower Merion, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a socially, racially, and economically diverse community, which includes residential, commercial, and corporate office centers. Located in Montgomery County, Lower Merion is part of the Philadelphia Main Line and has a 2020 population of 63,633.

The Township is seeking an experienced, responsive leader to be its next Police Superintendent. The Lower Merion Police Department (LMPD) is an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency with a 2024 Proposed Police Department budget of just under $31M and includes 162 full time employees, 136 of which are sworn personnel. Units of the LMPD include uniformed patrol, bicycle patrol, traffic safety unit, K-9, crime prevention unit, motorcycle unit, investigations unit, emergency response team, and hostage negotiation team. The Police Superintendent will assume command of a highly trained, well-equipped, and professional Department that is looked to as a law enforcement leader in Montgomery County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Department collaborates with other agencies and the public to accomplish the community’s goals of ensuring the safety of our community for all who live, work, or visit Lower Merion Township.

Additional responsibilities of the Police Superintendent include:

·Directs and plans the operations of the Department through Division Captains, and evaluates and administers Police programs such as patrol, crime prevention, criminal arrest, traffic management and related auxiliary and support services.

·Determines Department operating policy, rules and regulations.

·Analyzes information on Department effectiveness and efficiency, determines operating policies and procedures and recommends administrative and governing policies.

·Oversees report preparations.

·Oversees operating and capital budget development and presents budget requests.

·Controls Department expenditures within budget allocations and approves fund transfers for Finance Department or Manager's consideration.

·Manages police personnel and directs training.

·Administers union contract language and discipline.

·Approves employee performance evaluations and recommends reclassifications.

·Oversees police recruitment and selection process.

·Recommends candidates from approved eligibility lists.

·Assures safe work practices.

·Coordinates and confers with federal, state, and regional agencies and other municipalities on intergovernmental police problems and crime information.

·Maintains liaison with private and business organizations on police matters.

·Meets and partners with community groups.

·Speaks in public with news media and before community groups, schools and social agencies. 

·Monitors and inspects the activities of Police Department units and oversees the day-to-day management.

·Assures the integrity and accountability of department personnel and operations. 

·Confers with the Township Manager's office, other department heads and staff, police and law enforcement officials of other jurisdictions and agencies, Township officials and the public to provide information and to resolve problems and complaints. 

·Serves as the Township’s Emergency Management Coordinator.

·Performs related work as required.

The starting salary range for this position will be $204,000 - $210,000 negotiable, with a vehicle provided. Lower Merion Township offers an outstanding benefits package that includes Medical/Prescription, Dental and Vision; Group Term Life, AD&D (based on position) and Long-term Disability Insurance; Supplemental Life Insurance; Pension; Deferred Compensation Plan; paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick leave. Reimbursement of relocation expenses will be negotiable.

This position requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in law enforcement administration or a related field plus 10-15 years of progressively responsible police or law enforcement administration experience, including at least eight years’ experience in a second-line supervisory and/or command staff capacity. 

Completion of police leadership training, such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program, the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute, or a similar program is preferred. A valid class C driver’s license and the ability to pass all post-offer conditions of employment are required.

The ideal candidate will possess thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal law enforcement, and considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances and policies of law enforcement operations and administration, as well as public administration principles and practices as applied to a municipal law enforcement department. Lower Merion’s next Police Superintendent will need to effectively administer policies and procedures at the department head level, including goals, objectives, planning, financial management, decision-making, and report development and writing. The next Superintendent will have the considerable ability to delegate assignments, monitor operations, and establish work standards. 

This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2024. 

Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background, reference, and academic and employment verifications check. Candidates brought in for on-site interviews will be reimbursed for their expenses. A conditional offer letter for the selected candidate will include, but not be limited to, passing a criminal history records check and a drug screen. For more information, please contact Art Davis at art.davis@bakertilly.com or by calling 816.868.7042.

For more information about Lower Merion Township, please visit https://www.lowermerion.org/.

Lower Merion Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer.