Douglas F. Kish, longtime chief of Catasauqua Police Department, recently announced his retirement, after serving the borough for more than 20 years, according to borough Manager Glenn Eckhart.

According to his biography on the borough website, Kish started working in Catasauqua as a part-time officer in October 1977. He also served as a communication specialist for Lehigh County from 1975 to 1979.

He then began working as a full-time officer in Coplay Borough, while still doing part-time work in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua boroughs, the bio reported. In 1981, he joined South Whitehall Township Police Department, where he served as a patrol and K-9 officer before being promoted to corporal in 1987.

He has served as a criminal division and patrol supervisor. He also coordinated checkpoints, patrol and more for five departments in Lehigh County through the Pennsylvania Alcohol Highway Safety Program, the bio said.

Kish officially returned to Catasauqua as its police chief in 2003. According to his bio, he was sworn in June 30, 2003.

Kish’s connection to Catasauqua goes back to his youth. According to his bio, he graduated from Catasauqua High School before attending Lehigh Carbon Community College, Allentown Police Academy and Philadelphia K-9 Academy. He also completed a number of other law enforcement and management classes.

Kish’s bio also reported he served as president of Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association, member of International Association of Chiefs of Police, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania DUI Association.

According to Eckhart, Officer John T. Wiseman was appointed by Mayor Barbara Schlegel to serve as the officer in charge during the search for Kish’s replacement. Wiseman, who serves on the borough’s K-9 unit, has been with the department since 2004, according to the borough website.

“We wish him the very best in his retirement and hope he gets to do more fishing,” Eckhart said in wishing Kish well.