CHELTENHAM GOP RECOGNIZES JOHN SLAVIN FOR HIS APPOINTMENT AS POLICE CHIEF

Township Manager Robert Zienkowski has appointed John P. Slavin as Chief of Police, contingent upon Board approval.  This appointment will be brought to the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, July 20, for consideration and confirmation. 

“I am very proud to have been a part of this Department for the past 30+ years and to have the opportunity to lead this well-respected and accredited agency as Chief!  I work with a group of dedicated men and women who work hard to safeguard this community every day.  I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved here in recent years, especially attaining our third Re-Accreditation with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. We will continue to strive to improve and to follow the best practices in the police profession,” Slavin said.

Chief Slavin has worked in Law Enforcement for the past 37 years, starting his career as a Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff.  Prior to being hired in Cheltenham in July 1989, he had also worked as a Police Officer with the Rockledge Borough Police Department.  While he has spent a large portion of his career as a patrol officer, he has also worked in a variety of specialized assignments and ranks.  His favorite assignment as a Police Officer was his 18 years as a K9 handler, working with two separate canine partners and becoming one of the Department’s first specially trained K9 narcotics detection teams.

Throughout his career, Slavin has pursued degree programs and specialized training to prepare for the challenges involved with command level leadership.  He earned his Associate’s Degree from Montgomery County Community College and Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from LaSalle University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Saint Joseph’s University in 2001.  In addition, he is proud to be a graduate of the FBI LEEDA Executive Development Course, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Training, and most recently, the prestigious FBI National Academy in 2020.

Slavin was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2004, and Sergeant in 2006, shortly after which he was assigned to lead the Community Policing Unit (CPU). In that role, he spent 10 years developing relationships and programs designed to bring the police and community together in a positive manner—efforts which he looks to build upon during his time as Chief.  “My time in CPU had a tremendous impact on me, my career development, and gaining the skills and experience necessary to effectively lead this organization,” Slavin said.

He led the CPU until his promotion to Lieutenant in 2015.  He then served as the Commanding Officer for each division in the Department: Administrative Services, Detective, Patrol, and Professional Standards and Training, before being appointed Acting Chief of Police in fall 2021.  Chief Slavin said these experiences all molded him into a well-rounded and experienced Police Administrator.

“In my role as Chief, I will continue to build a strong partnership with our community and to increase our level of positive community engagement with residents.  I am committed to improving our services with a community policing approach and to advancing professionalism in our ranks. I look forward to working with our Board of Commissioners, our residents, our Officers, and staff in identifying community-directed priorities and concerns and developing effective solutions. I am grateful for this opportunity to lead and look forward to advancing the mission and standing of the Cheltenham Police Department moving forward!”