Career History and Accomplishments 

 

Northampton County Sheriff                                                                                                                                                      2009 - 2014

County of Northampton, 669 Washington Street, Easton Pennsylvania

• Overall supervision and leadership of 80 sworn deputies and seven civilian staff

• Established the first certified law enforcement policy and standard operating procedure manual in the history of the department.

• Lead the department in reaching PLEAC accreditation - one of only two accredited departments in the state - in only 15 months.

• Increased formalized training by over 350% and established a plan to keep increasing professional development as required for the safety of deputies and protection of the county in civil litigation.

• Reorganized the license to carry system by adding a second computer processing station and part-time help to keep up with the unprecedented amount of license applications.

• Started the first formal FTO program, and had four members trained as certified field training officers.

• Established a program to cut overtime by releasing deputies from guard duties while inmates were hospitalized, which has saved county tax payers more than $100,000 over the past four years.

• Became a sworn member of the United States Marshall Service Fugitive Task Force

• Never received any disciplinary actions. Exceptional attendance record, with accumulation of the maximum allowance of sick days offered.

 

City of Bethlehem: Police Department                                                                                                                                    1984 - 2009

10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Received eight commendations, never received any disciplinary actions. Exceptional attendance record, with accumulation of the maximum allowance of sick days
 

Police Commissioner, June 2006 – December 2009

• Overall supervision and leadership of 155 sworn officers and 38 civilian employees

• During my time as Commissioner, crime in the city decreased. Total non-violent crime was down 4.5%, total violent crime was down 8% and total crime was down 5.7%.

• Worked under third-class city code, City of Bethlehem home rule charter, and city guidelines in hiring, firing and promoting of employees

• Advanced the use of technology and specialized equipment to increase efficiency, productivity and safety.

• Directed research of the accreditation process for both CALEA and PLEAC; both accreditations received as Commissioner

• Primary contact for all local and regional media, press releases, and press conferences

• Continued to handle police administration, executive responsibilities and my role as police liaison (See full description in next section.)

        See Page 3 for full list of programs developed and initiated.

 

Deputy Commissioner, June 2004 - June 2006

• Overall supervision of a 25-man Community Policing Unit and General Supervision of 150 sworn officers and 36 civilian employees

• Promoted over the rank of Captain

• Served as police liaison with the network of city block watches and other community organizations

• Handled grievances, commendations, and discipline while working with employees from two union organizations

• Conducted and supervised internal investigations and made recommendations as to actions and discipline

• General executive responsibilities including management of a $14.2 million budget

See Page 3 for full list of programs developed and initiated.

 

Lieutenant – Detective Bureau and Special Operations (Vice), September 2003 – June 2004

• Overall supervision of four Sergeant/Detectives and 15 Investigators

• Developed several innovative programs, including case management and covert video surveillance programs

• Served as departmental representative to Mid-Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network

 

Lieutenant – Community Services Division, December 2001 – September 2003

• Overall supervision of 28 officers and two sergeants in the Community Services Division

• Wrote and maintained grants from the Department of Justice, PCCD, GREAT, DARE, and ATF

• Wrote and modified standard operating procedures

• Established and maintained inventory of equipment

• Proposed and implemented new programs for the Community Policing Division, such as introducing Endro-Motorcycles for Parks Officers and equipment receipt software

• Worked with and helped facilitate numerous community groups such as the Bethlehem Housing Authority, Bethlehem Area School District, SS Task Force, Downtown and Southside Business Organizations and approximately 20 block watch groups throughout the city.

 

Platoon Lieutenant, April 2001 - December 2001

• Overall supervision of 17 patrol officers and three Platoon Sergeants

• Established a routine roll call training schedule to more efficiently cover officer safety, department S.O.P.s, pursuits and emergency driving, high risk vehicle stops, etc.

• Established a system of logging officer performance to be used for referrals and evaluations

• Upgraded hand written documents to an entirely computerized system for all police department forms and schedules

• Handled all supervisory initiatives, including achievement and disciplinary actions by members of the platoon

• Performed the duties of a Patrol Captain in the case of a current Captain’s prolonged absence

 

Detective Sergeant, June 1997 - April 2001

• Assigned to the Lehigh Valley Auto Theft Task Force where I conducted numerous large-scale undercover operations generating many multi-jurisdictional and multi-state arrests.

• Was trained and assigned as the Technical Officer in charge of handling covert audio/visual recordings and all aspects of surveillance

• Built, installed and fixed PTZ camera systems

•  Established both wireless and wired backhaul systems in residential, commercial, and mobile environments

 

Investigator – Detective Bureau, June 1995 - April 2001

• Lead Investigator involved in numerous offenses such as homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults, attempted homicides, etc.

• Ran numerous special operations such as “Marv’s Pawn Shop” and other reverse stings.

 

Officer, March 1984 - June 1995

• Assigned as Patrol Officer in Baker Team

• Team Policing was replaced by Platoon System in 1989, Assigned to Platoon 3

 

Accomplishments

• Developed and implemented the highly successful Crime Scene Investigators Unit (CSI)

• Started innovative parks patrol motorcycle program

• Developed and implemented patrol rifle program

• Developed and implemented, reorganization of Emergency Response Team (ERT)

• Developed and implemented new Crisis Negotiating Team (CNT)

• Developed and implemented new Tactical Emergency Medical Team

• Increased overall departmental training by 230%

• Requested and worked with city administration to increase number of officers assigned to patrol force for the first time in 20 years

• Supervised and directed departmental CALEA and PLEAC accreditations - Only 9 Police departments in Commonwealth have both federal and state accreditation

• Started an anti-gang unit comprised of officers in all departments

• Assigned criminal investigator to the FBI task force

• Started departmental terrorism task force, and served as liaison with regional federal Terrorism Task force

• Developed, funded and implemented an in-house central processing facility

• Approved, funded and implemented AFIS fingerprint system - Only one of 3 owned and operated by municipal police departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Opened two new community police substations on the south side of the city

• Developed specifications and purchased over $50,000 worth of covert audio and video surveillance equipment for special operations

• Co-established new officer recruitment team

• Establishment of an committee to develop a task orientated evaluation system

• Researched and purchased spike strips for safe resolution of high speed pursuits - Spike strips are in every supervisor’s vehicle and in armory

• Established the first ever Junior Police Academy for at risk middle school age youths

• Sent three officers to become trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in anticipation of casino opening

• Reestablished Police Mounted unit after 63 year hiatus

• Started Taser Program using X-26 Tasers

• Establishment of an in house review for critical incidents

• Sent two officers for first civil disturbance training and certification in 25 years 

• Currently initiating a trained civil disturbance plan which provides immediate response if civil disturbance incident occurs

• Researched and implemented a program to mount live video cameras throughout the city using a mesh node network - Pilot program currently in effect on the south side of the city

• Contracted with several nationally known consultants as advisers on policy and civil liability

• Designed and oversaw development and application of new data delivery system to in-car mobile Date Terminals - Improved the patrol cellular service and proposed full Mesh network for police data and live camera feeds

• Worked with city’s information technology team on point of source data delivery system

• Initiated a new departmental media information release policy

• Started 3rd major reorganization or departmental structure in the history of the Bethlehem Police Department (Community Patrol Master Plan)

• Offer and encourage use of my full open door policy to all employees, regardless of rank

• Started officer’s safety program including new safety standards for vehicles and security in police headquarters.

• Developed and implemented less lethal program to give officers an additional tools below deadly force

• Researched and negotiated a 4.5 million dollar radio upgrade to digital P-25 complaint system

• Overall supervision of a 6 station enhanced 911 center - One of only two municipal 911 communications centers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Proposed, solicited and received over a million dollar congressional earmark for In-Car digital camera for all police departments in the entire Lehigh Valley

• Established discipline matrix which clearly spells out and standardizes discipline for police department 

• Established a recruitment advisory committee composed of members of the minority community to get help and input into diversity recruiting

 

The following is a list of programs that I personally designed and initiated while in the role of Sheriff of Northampton County. This list provides a brief glimpse at the things I have accomplished while in this position, more details and additional programs can be provided upon request.

 

 

• Successfully wrote and received 4 grants, the first grants awarded to the Sheriff’s office in 10 Years, totaling tens of thousands of dollars for the county.

• I have for the first time in some sergeants career as a sergeant, provided supervision training by a nationally known supervision and liability expert right in roll call room.

• I have brought national known experts in on communications and relationships for supervisors.

• I directed the first full audit of all property storage areas and facilities in 9 years, followed by two weapons destructions totaling well over 1000 weapons.

• Resolved over 70 grievances or unfair labor practices with no or little consolations on the county’s part, and winning all 15 arbitrations.

• Negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement in 4 years, resulting in favorable interest arbitration award.

• Established formal discipline policy

• Started first low light weapons qualification.to law enforcement standards.

• Researched and purchased new 3 point safety weapons holsters for every member.

• Established a procedure for property securing individuals who have been committed to prison and have personal property using existing facility and adding camera surveillance for safety of deputies.

• Established the first formal procedures for interviewing and hiring new candidates following Pennsylvania law enforcement standards.

• Equipped all sheriff vehicles with necessary response equipment such as first aid supplies such as first aid trauma kits, oxygen, bag masks, and in some transport vehicles  AED’s. along with  breaching tools to gain access in the event of a escaping felon or active shooter situation.

• Established the first aid/trauma centralized location in the office for the quick deployment of first aid equipment in emergency situations.

• Purchased a trailer which does not increase the number of vehicles or cost to the county but allows us to store and move all the firearms training equipment to one of the 3 firearms ranges we borrow time from for qualifications.

• Established the first set of formal disqualifier for employment.

• Started the position of evidence and property officer who also performs other house duties.

• Researched and purchased portable ballistic shields for use in building with active shooter incidents, and ballistic shields in the criminal division cars when arresting fugitives.

• Started the first roll call training program

• Established roll call book for safety, training, and assignments of personnel.

• Started the first Defensive Tactics training in 4 years.

• I had 2 deputies specifically trained in defensive driving and emergency vehicle operations in order to help not only the departmental members but all county employees.

• Started the first training Calendar to establish formal training days around the high personnel demands of security and the courts.

• Negotiated and signed two contracts with the Domestic relations for contracted services.

• Started the first substation, located on the second floor of the new courthouse, as a functional safety and workplace for deputies and a location of specialized weapons and safety equipment.

• Started the first award system for actions above and beyond.

• Started the first awards and memorial ceremony.

• Established the first patrol rifle program to offer members a long gun solution to an active shooter or other life threatening situations.

• Started the first formal less lethal weapons program including shot guns designed specifically for sock/bean bags rounds.

• Established the first records and accounting system for deadly weapons.

• Established the first transport and sergeant primary duty assignment positions

• Researched, purchased and trained personnel on a new first rate efficient records management system to keep proper documentation and reporting of uniform crime statistics.

• I assured that sheriff’s office was a pivotal member of the county wide C-Tac information sharing project by the Northampton County Chiefs of Police association.

• We have worked with the district attorney to assure proper arrest and documentation procedures are followed when making criminal arrests.  

• Performed the first reorganization of rank structure in over 10 years

• Interview and selection of a Chief Deputy, Lieutenant, and two sergeants using formal interview and qualification process..

• Developed representation and enlightenment program for the public and attended community events to provide safety and contact information to resident of our county.

• Installed proper access controls in sheriff’s offices and rooms, along with cameras in the offices for efficiency and safety.

• Performed a complete remodeling of the dispatch area to make the monitoring are much more efficient and reliable by replacing of the old servers that were constantly breaking down causing us to lose valuable video documentation.

• Started community mutual understanding initiate, including purchasing a portable tent to be used in community events and recruitment activities.

• Established the first active shooter operating procedure and commencement of departmental members on active shooter training.

• Hiring of allotted part time deputies to help relieve overtime and allow time for training of deputies.

• Introduced the first Pride and Professionalism programs in the sheriff’s office

• I was forced to separate or dismiss 7 employees for numerous violations of law, and departmental policies or directives. .

• Researched and purchased ballistic protection at all entrances of county building on campus.

• Researched and purchased safety gas masks for all members of the department so a emergency response can still be accomplished in a hazardous environment.

• Morale improvements,

  • Award Challenge Coins.

  • Award bars.

  • Added stripes to sergeant’s uniforms.

  • Decaled office and other areas for pride in the organization.

  • Designed and purchased departmental pins.

  • Improved quality of uniforms.

  • Purchased new blazers for screening and security officers.

  • Established the requirements for class A uniform, and variations used on the streets.

  • Researched uniform vendors to get better fitting and appearing uniforms.

  • Ballistic protection for the deputies at the fixed posts