Andy Block sworn in as Lower Merion’s 12th Police Chief

Police Chief Andrew Block (courtesy of Lower Merion Township)

LOWER MERION – Since 1900, Lower Merion has had 11 police commissioners.

The congregation now has its twelfth.

On Wednesday evening, Andrew Block, who has lived in Lower Merion his entire life, was officially sworn in as the department’s new superintendent.

“I want to thank our board and Township Manager Ernie McNeely for selecting me for this very, very sacred position within law enforcement to lead this phenomenal police department – the Lower Merion Police Department,” Block said after being sworn in. “I am truly humbled and grateful for everything you have done for me thus far as commissioners and leaders of this township. I will not let you down. I will not let our citizens down, nor will I let down our outstanding officers of the Lower Merion Police Department.”

Block officially became Lower Merion’s superintendent on June 3, but town officials waited to hold the swearing-in ceremony until this month’s town council meeting.

Block has been a police officer for nearly 40 years, most of which he has worked in Radnor Township. Most recently, he served as police chief in Upper Moreland Township. He was also a member of the Gladwyne Fire Company, including serving as its chief.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Neumann University and a master’s degree in public safety management and administration from Saint Joseph’s University. He also completed the FBI National Academy’s Law Enforcement Executive Management program.

District Judge Henry Schireson officially swore Block in as superintendent during the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday evening.

Schireson said police and courts enjoy a high reputation in the United States.

“True respect for the law is fostered by our integrity, our impartiality, our sense of fair play, our conscientious performance of duty and yes, our sense of duty,” Schireson said. “I know Andy to be a person who embodies these qualities. He is generally caring, humble and has an unwavering sense of duty — that’s all you could ask for in a police commissioner.”

Todd Sinai, chairman of the board, said many people have come to him and told him that the community’s election of Block was a great decision.

“When it comes to policing, I believe our board has one goal, and that is to have the best police department possible,” Sinai said. “I am pleased that tonight, with the swearing in of an outstanding superintendent, we are able to add to our roster of outstanding officers, leadership and police department staff.”

Commissioner Dan Bernheim said that in everything they do as a municipality, the safety of the public is the most important thing. And the most important decisions they make in the area of ​​public safety are choosing a fire chief and a police chief.

“Those who know Andy respect him, value him very highly, and those who don’t – and I’m addressing the police officers – will find out very, very quickly why they do this,” said Bernheim. “It is an absolute privilege and an honor to be part of this ceremony tonight. And if I can give myself one piece of advice: just be yourself. We will all benefit greatly from that.”

McNeely said that in the search for and eventual hiring of Block, Lower Merion hired a national search firm and then looked at candidates from across the country, including 59 at the start.

Eight finalists were selected from the 59. Six of these eight were from the Philadelphia area and the other two were from out of state.

“But ultimately, we’re very happy to have found someone who has spent his entire life in Lower Merion Township,” McNeely said.

McNeely pointed to Block’s 38 years of service in the police force and 28 years in Radnor Township.

“We are very pleased to welcome Andy Block as our new superintendent,” said McNeely.

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