Police Department

The East Norriton Township Police Department functions as an organized unit with a common goal to provide the community with the best possible service and protection that can be achieved with existing resources. The primary objective of the Police Department is to enforce the law in a fair and an impartial manner, recognizing the limitations of police authority and the rights of all persons. It is our duty to create an environment in which people can move about safely, feeling confident that they, their families, and their property are protected from criminal harm. The East Norriton Township Police Department views itself primarily as a public service agency. We have continually practiced community policing long before it became a national trend. The Police Department will strive to maintain a safe atmosphere and the quality of life which the residents and businesses of East Norriton Township have become accustomed. Karyl Kates was appointed the Public Safety Director/Chief of Police in November of 2010. Currently there are 26 full time police officers assigned to various administrative, patrol and investigative functions. In addition to patrol cars and SUV's, officers specifically certified, patrol the Township on one of two Harley Davidson motorcycles, or one of four Smith & Wesson police bicycles.

East Norriton Township Police Department Achieves Accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association

In June 2005 the East Norriton Township Police Department became one of only thirty four police agencies in the Commonwealth to receive accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. The accreditation process requires applying agencies to meet and adopt over one hundred and twenty different standards of compliance.

These standards are designed to make the agency more professional, efficient and responsive to the citizens it serves. Benefits of accreditation provide a credible framework for evaluating agency practices and procedures. It reduces the department's risk and exposure to lawsuits and can decrease some liability expenditures. Further, it can extend the agency's accountability to the public and its elected officials. In short, accreditation is a progressive and time proven way of helping a department evaluate and improve performance.

The East Norriton Township Police Accreditation Manager, Lieutenant Karyl Kates began the initial process back in 2002, shortly after she was promoted to her current rank. After three years of hard work, which included rewriting much of the Department's operation manual, accreditation status was awarded.

All Agencies must be re-evaluated every three years by the Pennsylvania Accreditation Commission. Maintaining accredited status is a challenging, ever changing, and evolving process. The Police Department was re-assessed in the Fall of 2008, and again achieved this highly honored award.

The East Norriton Township Police officers and citizens can be truly proud of their police department.

East Norriton Township Police Administrators attend the F.B.I. National Academy

The East Norriton Township Police Department is one of only a handful of police agencies statewide that has had its entire administrative staff attend and graduate from the F. B. I. National Academy.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the F. B. I. Academy in Quantico Virginia, offers attendees ten weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. Attendees are chosen which have been identified as future leaders of their agencies. Upon graduation, these officers serve their departments and communities in executive level positions. The National Academy will only accept officers with advanced command experience, and those officers fortunate enough to attend represent less then one percent of all law enforcement officers in the Nation.

Since 1935, the National Academy has held over two hundred and twenty-one sessions made up of officers from all fifty States, the U.S. Territories, the four branches of the military and over thirty foreign countries.

In 1972 the University of Virginia accredited the courses offered by the National Academy, making it possible for attendees to earn graduate and undergraduate college courses.

Having the Police Department's entire administrative staff as graduates is fortuitous for the citizens of East Norriton Township. Chief John McGowan attended the Academy in the 146^th session while still employed by Lower Moreland Township. Lieutenant Kurt Taboga attended the 211^th session in 2002, Lieutenant Karyl Kates graduated with the 221^st session in June 2005, and Sgt. David Boyer graduated with the 233^rd session in June of 2008.

Mission Statement
Value Statement/Code of Ethics

Pennsylvania Accreditation

Women's Center of Montgomery County

Victim's Services of Montgomery County

Laurel House of Montgomery County

Montgomery County District Attorney's Office

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security

Pennsylvania Identity Theft

Montgomery County Mediation Center