SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Veteran police officer Frank J.C. Lombardo has long sought to lead a police department of his own.
Wednesday night, his dream came true.
Lombardo was unanimously appointed to the position of South Whitehall Township chief of police by the township board of commissioners.
“I’m glad I landed here.”New South Whitehall Township Police Chief Frank J.C. Lombardo
“This is the type of policing and the type of community I looked to be part of,” Lombardo said. “It's much like the community I came from.
“I’m glad I landed here.”
Lombardo said he was offered the position several weeks ago. He was selected from among 40 candidates who were interviewed.
His first day as chief will be Monday.
He will be paid an annual salary of $162,000, prorated for 2025, Township Manager Thomas P. Petrucci said.
Lombardo, 56, was an officer with the South Brunswick Township, New Jersey, Police Department from 1995 to 2024. He held various leadership positions and retired as captain on Feb. 29, 2024.
'The man for this moment'
Lombardo will fill the vacancy created when Police Chief Glen Dorney resigned in March 2024 after six years to become corporate security manager for PPL.
Police Capt. Stephen Brown has served as South Whitehall Township’s interim/acting chief of police during the search for a permanent chief.
“As your chief, I will push you to do your best and always have your back."New South Whitehall Police Chief Frank J.C. Lombardo
Lombardo will be tasked with the organization, planning, budgeting, grant preparation/administration, staffing and performance of the township police department and its officers and employees.
The police department comprises the chief and 43 officers.
“As your chief, I will push you to do your best and always have your back,” Lombardo told several township police officers at the meeting.
Commissioners Secretary Jacob Roth said he was struck by Lombardo’s integrity, experience, values and humbleness during the interview process.
“You’re the man for this moment and you’ve earned this,” Roth told Lombardo, who was supported by his family at the meeting.
“Your knowledge of South Whitehall Township and knowledge of the challenges we face and the ability to assess the challenges this community will face has really shown through.”
Commissioners President Diane Kelly added: “I found Frank to be highly professional and exceptionally knowledgeable, humble and visionary.”
'Deep sense of pride in policing'
A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Lombardo holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning and Design from Rutgers University, a master of administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a doctor of education in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University.
Lombardo received numerous commendations and awards in law enforcement, including the Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor and multiple Excellent Service Awards.
"I’m going to work carefully with them to make sure I preserve that while we move forward. I am very impressed.”New South Whitehall Police Chief Frank J.C. Lombardo
Lombardo attended Somerset County Police Academy before serving as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
Lombardo began his career with the patrol bureau and served as field training officer, firearms instructor, honor guard commander and team leader for the emergency response team.
In 2021, Lombardo was a finalist for the vacant chief of police position in Norristown, Montgomery County.
Lombardo said he has been extremely impressed by the current police department in the short time he has had to review it.
“My impression of the force is that it is squared away,” he said. “They have top-notch equipment. The uniforms are great. They have a deep sense of pride in policing and have a great sense of pride in the department.
“So I’m going to work carefully with them to make sure I preserve that while we move forward. I am very impressed.”
Trailer parking lot plan extended
Also Wednesday, commissioners approved a resolution extending conditional preliminary/final approval of a development plan for a trailer parking area at 1429 Eck Road.
Triple Net Investments is requesting a three-month extension to June 20.
The plan, titled 1429 Eck Road Outdoor Storage, proposes to construct a 79-trailer space parking area on the 5.11-acre parcel.
Twelve spaces will be used as 16 reserved standard parking spaces, with eight standard parking spaces.
The plan, submitted by Triple Net Investments CI, LLC, includes the construction of a guard shack on the 5.11-acre parcel.
The property is zoned Industrial Commercial.
Cat clinic parking expansion
An application to expand the parking lot at the Allentown Cat Clinic at 4090 W. Tilghman St. was approved.
The plan, submitted by owners David and Michele Paul, proposes to add 11 parking spaces to the existing 13-space lot on a 0.70-acre portion of the property.
The plan includes adding corresponding parking lot lighting and the paving of an additional 600 square feet of existing gravel to accommodate staff parking.
Public conservation poll tabled
A motion authorizing the township manager to execute a professional services contract to conduct a professional public opinion poll for the conservation finance feasibility study was tabled.
The Trust for Public Land or Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion would conduct a public-opinion poll for an amount up to but not exceeding $20,000.
Members of the board rejected the motion for reasons ranging from people contacted not answering for fear it was spam, to believing the money could be better used by sending postcards on the topic directly to township residents.
An ordinance would need to be passed by July to place the issue on the ballot.
Purchase police vehicles
A motion to proceed with buying three Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for the police department was approved.
The total cost of the vehicles is $247,341.
All new vehicles will replace current front line patrol vehicles.
