SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — After a year-long search for a permanent police chief, South Whitehall Township finally thinks it has found its man.
The board of commissioners on Wednesday are expected to appoint former South Brunswick, New Jersey, Township Police Capt. Frank J.C. Lombardo as chief of police.
A resolution on the appointment is listed on the agenda for the board of commissioners’ meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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.South Whitehall Township job description
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.
Lombardo, 55, was an officer with the South Brunswick Township Police Department from 1995-2024. He held various leadership positions and retired as captain on Feb. 29, 2024.
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.
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.
A year of searching
Lombardo received numerous commendations and awards in law enforcement, including the Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor and multiple Excellent Service Awards.
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.
At a South Whitehall board of commissioners meeting in October, many township residents voiced displeasure over the decision, saying the extra funds being spent were a waste of taxpayer money or would significantly extend the search timeline for the position of police chief.South Whitehall Board of Commissioners
He later was the traffic safety bureau lieutenant, and finished his career as captain of Community Services Command.
Lombardo also served as president of the Fraternal Order of Police in New Brunswick.
In 2021, Lombardo was a finalist for the vacant chief of police position in Norristown, Montgomery County.
In October, the board of commissioners approved a new police chief search after an initial search failed to yield a satisfactory candidate.
A new contract with Aspirant Consulting Group to continue a search cost $9,500. An additional cost of $1,750 was listed for an oral interview panel as part of the process.
In April, the board approved a contract for $9,000 with The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for an initial search.
Township Manager Tom Petrucci said that was in part because of the unexpected death of Gregory Bean, the manager of the organization leading the process.
At a board of commissioners meeting in October, many township residents voiced displeasure over the decision,saying the extra funds being spent were a waste of taxpayer money or would significantly extend the search timeline for the position of police chief.
