Cheltenham to begin interviews for next police chief and kick off search for township manager

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More than 30 candidates have applied to be Cheltenham Township’s next chief of police.

The pool of applicants to replace outgoing Chief John Slavin is expected to endure a gauntlet of interviews, which will begin within the next month, officials said.

“We expect that that process will result in a final selection by the Board of Commissioners after an interview by the Board of Commissioners sometime in the July time frame,” Commissioner Matthew Areman said following Tuesday’s special public meeting to discuss the search process for a new chief and township manager.

The application window for the chief search has closed. But the search for a new township manager has just begun.

Residents in attendance and on Zoom urged township officials to choose candidates who will champion Cheltenham’s reputation as a safe, diverse and inclusive community.

“I think it’s very important that whoever gets selected for these two positions is very sensitive to the challenges that young people have right now and also to make sure that everyone feels welcome, everyone feels supported and everyone feels accepted and respected in the community,” Sharon Wellons, of Elkins Park, said.

To some, the exemplary police chief applicant sounded a lot like Slavin, who is retiring in the summer. Slavin has been supportive of the township’s new welcoming policy, enacted in response to the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration crackdown.

“I would urge you to ask the substantive and challenging questions necessary to ensure that prospective police chiefs possess the same values, intentions and commitment to inclusive community policing that is embodied in a welcoming township — and that Chief Slavin has embodied as well,” Donna Bullard, of Elkins Park, said.

Slavin has been with the township police department since 1989. He held various roles as a patrol officer, K9 handler and head of the Community Policing Unit.

He became a lieutenant in 2015. The township named Slavin acting chief in 2021, before permanently retaining him in that role. Montgomery County’s third-largest township launched a search to replace Slavin in January.

“Similar to what the residents were saying, we want someone who’s going to be engaging in our community,” Commissioner Irv Brockington said. “To fill those shoes of our current chief — those are big shoes to fill, because he came with a lot of energy and that energy was positive. And the residents saw our staff and our police officers follow his take.”

Areman and Brockington estimated Cheltenham could hire a new township manager as early as August.

“While we have some urgency, it’s not an emergency,” Areman said.