The search for the municipality’s new chief of police will open to the public next week.
A special search meeting will be open to residents on Oct. 28 to get an opportunity to meet and ask questions of the final two candidates vying to lead the Norristown Police Department. This meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (2 W. Lafayette St.).
“Community input is crucial in filling one of the most important positions here in the municipality,” said Council President Derrick Perry. “Norristown is a diverse community unlike any other here in Montgomery County, and we want our residents to know the top law enforcement officer here is working to keep all of them safe.”
The police chief is charged with leading the Norristown Police Department’s approximately 70 police officers and 30 civilian staff who work to protect the municipality’s 35,000 residents. Community safety is one of the leading priorities for the police department. Former Police Chief Mark Talbot created policies and community engagement incentives that dropped crime in the municipality by 50 percent during his eight-year tenure. Norristown Police Lt. Todd Dillon has been serving as acting chief since Talbot’s departure.
Municipal officials have been conducting a national search since early July when Chief Talbot left for the top cop position in Hampton, Virginia. A number of candidates were brought in for assessment exercises in September led by a chiefs panel and observed by council and the municipal administrator, and the list was then narrowed to the final two. In addition to Municipal Council and municipal administrator interviews, department heads and other community leaders will also be meeting with the two police chief candidates on Oct. 28 to ensure all stakeholders are included in the search process.
Residents are highly encouraged to come out to this search meeting to ask questions of the candidates. Municipal Council may announce their appointment for the police chief position in November.