It was standing-room only for the swearing in of Salisbury Township Chief of Police Kevin J. Soberick.

As fellow police chiefs, township police officers, township firemen, officials and friends filled the meeting room of the Salisbury Township municipal building, Soberick took the oath of office administered by District Judge Michael J. Pochron.

Soberick raised his right hand and put his left hand on a Bible. Standing with Soberick at the front of the room was his mother, Rosemary Cannon, who held the Bible. Looking on from the audience were Soberick’s wife, Erin; their son, Anthony and Soberick’s stepfather, Tom Dahl.

Applause and cheers greeted Soberick after he was sworn in.

Soberick, a 24-year veteran of the township police department, then stepped to the podium, outlining what he said would be “a new chapter for the future.

“To the residents of the township,” Soberick said, “look for more involvement from the police department.

“We will be increasing our footprint in the township in a positive way with input from the residents to help make Salisbury a safer place to live and work.

“I am looking forward to the support of the board [of commissioners] to take our department to the next level.”

Soberick thanked the board of commissioners, including Vice President Deb Brinton, who chaired the meeting and Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich.

“I want to thank you and let you know what an honor it is to be the chief of the department where I have worked for so long.”

Soberick, a Lansford, Carbon County, resident, has been on the Salisbury police force since 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in 2002. He has been sergeant of patrol officers, Special Operations Group and the K-9 Patrol. He received an associate in science degree in electronic tech from Lehigh Carbon Community College.

He’s been a firefighter and assistant fire chief with the Coaldale Fire Company since 1984.

Soberick has served as second-in-command of the township police department since 2006. He was acting chief when the township police chief was on extended leave or away. He was elected president of the Salisbury Police Officers Association in 2005.

Addressing his fellow township officers, Soberick said, “I have worked side by side with you for years. I have spoken to you and we all know what needs to be done to make our department better.

“The new endeavors and programs we will undertake and do together, [we will do] side by side. You have my backing and support as we open a new chapter for the future,” Soberick said.

Soberick was appointed Salisbury Township chief of police by a 3-0 vote at the Sept. 12 meeting when he was sworn in. One commissioner was absent and one commissioner seat is vacant. Commissioner Rodney Conn made the motion, seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves, to bring the resolution for the appointment to a vote. Soberick’s annual salary was set at $109,000.

Soberick succeeds Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles, who retired July 12 after 25 years as Salisbury police chief. Soberick, then a sergeant, was appointed Salisbury Township acting police chief, effective July 12, by township commissioners at the June 27 meeting.

Soberick’s resume, accomplishments, certifications, licenses, professional development and duties with the township police department is voluminous. Among the highlights, Soberick:

•Was selected as the only officer from Pennsylvania by the Department of Justice to attend the Rural and Small Agency conference, Coronado, Calif., to present small agency responses to active shooter events.

•Commanded Salisbury Police security detail with the Secret Service for visits by Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

•Organized security and police operations for Sen. John McCain when he visited Lehigh Valley Health Network.

•Established with Lehigh Valley Health Network quarterly meetings to address safety and security at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest.

•Attended counter terrorism training through the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response conducted with the Israeli Defense Force and the Israeli National Police.

To other chiefs of police and law enforcement officials, including Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin, attending the swearing in, Soberick said, “Thank you for your support. As a new chief I will definitely be reaching out for input and guidance.

“I want you to know that the Salisbury Police Department is here to be part of the team to help with the challenges facing policing in the Lehigh Valley,” Soberick said.

Soberick also thanked friends and family for attending the swearing-in ceremony. “Thank you for coming here tonight to be part of this important event.

“I need to thank my wife, Erin. I would not be here today without her support and strength over the 20-plus years we have been married.

“Erin took care of the home and my family while I was here working the crazy schedule of a police officer,” Soberick said.

Soberick spoke of the interview process to select a Salisbury police chief.

“The process was certainly humbling in several ways. The first being if any of the candidates thought that they were going to fly through the interviews because of years of experience, training and education, they were certainly wrong.

“We were pressed on our vision for the department, knowledge of police work, labor issues and where we needed to improve.

“The questions were as tough as any I have received during the many trials I have been involved with over the years.”

And in a lighter moment, Soberick said, “When I left the second interview and Dave Woglom held out his hand, I thought he was collecting the co-pay for the exam I just received.”

Woglom, associate director for public service, The Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government, Lafayette College, was a consultant who assisted township commissioners and officials in selecting a new police chief.

“The second way this was humbling was the amount of support I received during and after the process. The kind letters, texts, phone calls and emails meant the world to me and it is nice to know the support I have as I start this new endeavor,” Soberick said.