In closing answers at the town hall, the three finalists described a shared emphasis on procedural justice, cultural competence and mentorship as central components of community policing in Norristown.
Michael Trail said his vision is a “culture of cooperation and collaboration” and recommended departmental community surveys and specialized community service units supported by mental-health co-responders. “Every single police officer in this department has to be a community engagement officer,” Trail said.
Mark Benjamin, a Norristown native, prioritized constitutional policing, cultural competence and transparency, and linked stable leadership to staff retention. “A head takes care of its body so it can take care of its community,” Benjamin said, arguing that front-line supervision and in‑person leadership matter to officer morale.
Rich Klauser, who spent 28 years in Norristown before leaving in 2021, said he wanted to “bring that stuff back” — restoring policing strategies he said produced strong community partnerships between 2014 and 2021. He cited operationalizing procedural justice through training, body-worn cameras and routine community meetings.
All three candidates also highlighted officer wellness and resilience training. Trail and Benjamin described mental‑health and resiliency programs for officers they had taught; Benjamin described mentoring programs for youth as part of wider community engagement.
The candidates’ proposals overlap substantially; the panel will consider the town hall ratings and the panel’s own evaluations before advancing the hiring process.