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Norristown council formalizes deputy police‑chief position, rescinds prior appointment
Summary
Council voted to rescind a prior appointment and authorize creation of a civil‑service deputy chief position that must be filled from sworn ranks, citing succession planning and departmental stability.
Norristown’s council on Tuesday approved resolution 26‑10 to rescind an earlier appointment and formally create a deputy chief position within the Norristown Police Department.
Administrator Leitner told council the request rescinds resolution 25‑69 (which had appointed an individual) while preserving the municipality’s desire to have a deputy chief position. Solicitor told council that, under the borough code and state civil‑service rules — as upheld by past local case law — a deputy chief must be appointed from within the ranks of sworn officers and cannot be hired from outside the department.
Police leadership said the formalized position will support succession planning, stabilize the department and enable the chief to focus on vision and community engagement while a trusted second‑in‑command manages day‑to‑day operations. The chief described the position as part of efforts to professionalize the department and to create internal promotional pathways.
Council moved the resolution and approved it by roll call. Solicitor and staff said civil service will draft rules and regulations for the appointment process and return them to council for review and approval; council retains the ability to request revisions once civil service forwards proposed rules.
The council’s action creates the position in principle; the department and civil‑service commission will define specific application, testing and appointment procedures consistent with borough code.
