Altoona names Derek Swope police chief, Nathan Snyder deputy effective Jan. 2
Summary
Council approved consent-agenda appointments naming Deputy Police Chief Derek Swope as Police Chief and Lieutenant Nathan Snyder as Deputy Police Chief, both effective Jan. 2, 2026, and council members thanked outgoing Chief Joe for his service.
As part of the consent agenda, Altoona City Council approved personnel appointments that will change command at the Altoona Police Department effective Jan. 2, 2026. The council authorized the appointment of Derek Swope from Deputy Police Chief to Police Chief and named Lieutenant Nathan Snyder to be Deputy Police Chief.
City Manager Chris told the council he evaluated internal candidates and "had the right leadership in place," saying Derek stepped into acting roles during the outgoing chief's absences and had been part of succession planning. Council members offered public thanks to outgoing Chief Joe for two decades of service and wished him well.
These appointments were approved as part of the consent vote that passed 7'to'00; the council did not hold separate debate or roll-call on the individual appointments beyond the consent vote.
What happens next: The city manager and police command will implement the leadership transition effective Jan. 2, 2026.
