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Lower Moreland Swears In Scott Smith After Police Accreditation Presentation
Summary
The Lower Moreland Board of Commissioners appointed and swore in Scott C. Smith as chief of police on June 14, following a presentation recognizing the department's accreditation. The board also approved conditional offers to three new officers.
Scott C. Smith was formally sworn in as chief of police at the Lower Moreland Township Board of Commissioners meeting on June 14, after the board voted unanimously to approve his employment agreement.
The board introduced the appointment after a presentation by Jim Adams of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition, who described accreditation as more than a "sticker on a police car," noting the program reviews roughly 125 standards and the substandards that amount to about 370 best practices. Adams said accredited departments generally face fewer lawsuits and have lower payouts when suits occur, and emphasized the continuing multi‑year reaccreditation process.
Commissioner Joseph Canali, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said the board had interviewed Lieutenant Scott Smith and recommended his appointment. The motion to approve Smith's employment agreement passed by unanimous voice vote. District Justice Tom Mt administered the oath; Smith repeated the oath, including a pledge to "support, obey and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the township of Lower Moreland," and pledged to discharge his duties "with fidelity and integrity."
In his remarks, Chief Smith thanked family, the department's retirees and board members for the opportunity and noted the department's community ties. The board then approved conditional employment offers to three candidates certified by the Civil Service Commission—John Kazinski, Javon Brown and Joseph Capello—each to complete medical and psychological exams before beginning training in late June.
The meeting also included the police monthly report: Chief Smith told commissioners the department handled about 1,400 calls for service in the period, with an uptick in package thefts and one arrest and another case pending, several tobacco‑sales compliance violations, and ongoing community outreach including K‑9 fundraising events. He reminded residents to secure mail and announced a K‑9 fundraiser scheduled for June 22.
The board directed staff to finalize onboarding steps and to bring probationary appointments back for confirmation at the July 9 meeting.
