LOWER MERION — Nearly four decades ago, Andrew Block took the exam to become a Lower Merion police officer.
He didn’t get it but was told if he applied to other places, he would get a job as a police officer.
Block, a lifelong Lower Merion resident, ended up as a police officer in neighboring Radnor Township.
Now, 38 years after that rejection from his home community, he will be leading the Lower Merion Police Department.
the Lower Merion Commissioners voted unanimously to select Block as its new superintendent of police.
“When I was a young man in this township and coming up with the emergency services, my lifelong goal, believe it or not, was to become a Lower Merion Township police officer,” Block said after the board’s vote. “I took the examination. Back in those days, there were over a thousand people that would come for the examinations, and I just didn’t make the grade at that time, but there were mentors within the Lower Merion Police Department who told me, ‘This is not the end of the world. Take police tests elsewhere. You will absolutely get a job.’ But 38 years later, my lifelong dream has come to fruition, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your nomination and placing your trust in me to lead this phenomenal police department.”
Block had been a police officer in Radnor for decades before leaving to become the Police Chief in Upper Moreland Township.
A lifelong resident of Lower Merion, Block has been a volunteer firefighter in Gladwyne, having served as its past fire chief and is currently deputy chief.
“I am very humble, very grateful, and very overwhelmed at this moment,” Block said. “I thank you for all your kind comments and the support that the board and the nomination of Township Manager (Ernie) McNeely.”
Block follows Mike McGrath, who announced he was retiring last year. McGrath’s retirement became effective at the end of March.
Block will take over the leadership in Lower Merion in June. Capt. Eugene Pasternak has been serving as the acting superintendent.
After McGrath announced his retirement, the township hired a recruitment firm that surveyed stakeholders, including commissioners, police officers, residents, and other organizations. The survey was designed to create a profile of a desired candidate’s qualifications and abilities.
After the position was advertised in December, the township’s hiring consultants made contact with 4,599 possible applicants throughout the United States.
According to township officials, there were only two current police officers who met the qualifications to become superintendent.
“The only possible internal candidates who would meet the qualifications did not apply, as one was in the Deferred Retirement Option program, which includes a mandatory retirement date in about three years, and the other chose not to apply for personal reasons,” according to a staff memo to the commissioners.
“(Block) has over 38 years of experience in law enforcement, including 28 years at the Radnor Township Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and ultimately retired as deputy superintendent of police in Radnor,” said Brandon Ford, assistant township manager.
According to Ford, Block has also served as an instructor, covering topics such as law enforcement administration management, public safety communication and leadership at Newman University.
“Chief Block is a lifelong resident of Lower Merion Township where he has given years of his life not only in the service of public safety but as a volunteer for the Lower Merion Fire Department as well as Narberth Ambulance,” Ford said. “So Andy not only has the professional experience but also his personal experience as a volunteer as both in the fire department and with Narberth Ambulance that we feel makes him the best candidate for this position that if appointed as a nominated by the manager he will serve the township well.”
Christine Dixon-Anderson chairs the township’s civil service committee and the police and minority relations committee but was speaking for herself and not those organizations.
She said, “I am pleased with your recommendation for superintendent of the police department. I’ve known Andy for a number of years, and I am very confident that he will do an excellent job.”
Lower Merion FOP President John Iushewitz thanked the township for involving the union in the selection process and expressed support for hiring Block.
“We are thrilled to begin a new chapter in our department with the appointment of Andrew Block as superintendent of police,” Iushewitz said. “We offer him our full support. Welcome future Superintendent Andrew Block to our esteemed organization, and we look forward to working with you in the near future.”
Several commissioners also expressed support for Block’s nomination.
“I was impressed by his willingness to try some innovative things to help with traffic enforcement, his discussion about getting officers and also himself out to the community, getting the police out of their cars more to talk to residents, which I think many of us feel it’s important, said Commissioner Josh Grimes.
