Police Chief Glen Dorney resigns
BY DEBRA PALMIERI
South Whitehall Township Manager Tom Petrucci emailed The Press the following statement regarding the resignation of Police Chief Glen Dorney:
“Chief Glen Dorney tendered his resignation on March 4, with a last day of March 22, in order to pursue a career opportunity in the private sector.
“A distinguished professional with 29 years of combined law enforcement experience, Chief Dorney has been serving with and leading the South Whitehall Township Police Department since April 9, 2018.
“The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners anticipates taking official action to appoint an interim/acting chief of police during the March 20 public board meeting.
“Chief Dorney will also be recognized for his service to the South Whitehall community during the March 20 meeting.
“A strong proponent of community policing concepts who placed a high level of emphasis on both departmental training and organizational structure, Chief Dorney always endeavored to maintain a positive relationship between the police department and the community members it serves.”
Dorney took over as chief following the resignation of John Christman, who took a job as director of security at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
A 1990 graduate of Nazareth Area High School, Dorney is a 1995 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University from which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sports science, and a minor in business administration.
He graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in 1995, and was employed by both Wilson Borough and Palmer Township police departments.
Hired in 1997 by the Allentown Police Department, he worked as a patrolman on the third platoon, among others, and was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2005.
Dorney has been a member of the Emergency Response Team since 2000, and was named commander in 2007.
Petrucci said the process for the selection and appointment of the next chief of police will be determined by commissioners.
“We thank Chief Dorney for his service to the community and wish him well with all his future endeavors,” Petrucci wrote.
It should be noted that Capt. Stephen Brown was listed on the March 20 board of commissioners agenda for consideration of appointment to interim/acting police chief.