SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — The township police department has a new leader.
The township Board of Commissioners appointed Stephen Brown to the position of interim/acting chief of police at its meeting Wednesday. He previously served as the department’s captain.
Outgoing Police Chief Glen Dorney tendered his resignation from the South Whitehall Township Police Department on March 4. His last day will be Friday.
Dorney has led the South Whitehall Township Police Department since April 2018. He has said he is taking a job in the private sector but did not elaborate.
Dorney thanked the community for its support in his farewell speech Wednesday night.
“We worked together as a community and a police department. It was not just us and you, it was us together, working to make this a great community,” said Dorney, who previously served 20 years with the Allentown Police Department, including a year there as chief.
Township commissioners will now have to decide the process for appointing a permanent police chief. Township Manager Tom Petrucci said that will likely happen next month.
South Whitehall has 43 police officers and had become fully staffed in January with the hiring of six new officers.
The department is currently hiring for one position, though, after Officer Thomas Webb recently retired.
Outgoing chief honored
Commissioners gave Dorney a distinguished service award for his years of service.
Before giving him the award, board President Diane Kelly listed his accomplishments within the department, including community policing initiatives, adding to the department’s K-9 units and expanding the school resource officer program.
“He excelled at creating and maintaining partnerships by improving lines of communication and developing strong interpersonal relationships which will continue to benefit our community,” Kelly said.
“South Whitehall Township is appreciative of Glen Dorney and his service to the community, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
"Don't ever take your badge [for granted]. I may not wear it anymore. But I take pride in this, and I will forever."Outgoing South Whitehall Police Chief Glen Dorney
Dorney said the township police department is in “absolutely good hands” with the new command staff.
Dorney also thanked the whole department for its work.
“You are true members of this community. You do the right thing when nobody's watching all the time,” Dorney said.
“I will challenge you to continue that work ethic, that integrity. Don't ever take your badge [for granted]. I may not wear it anymore. But I take pride in this, and I will forever.
“So please, do the right thing and continue to go home to your family every single night.”
Who is Stephen Brown?
Brown graduated from Parkland High School in 2001, then served in the U.S. Navy. He is a graduate of Allentown Police Academy’s 80th class.
Brown joined the department in 2007. He was promoted to the position of captain, the No. 2 ranking in the department, in February 2023 after longtime Capt. Michael Sorrentino retired.
Brown said as interim chief, he will continue to implement the goals Dorney set.
"We'll keep moving forward, keep meeting the challenges of the community and continue to have a positive impact," Brown said.
When asked if he would want to be the permanent chief of the department, he said it is up to the board to decide.
