LOWER MERION — Since 1900, Lower Merion has had 11 police superintendents.
The township now has its twelfth.
On Wednesday night, Andrew Block, a lifelong resident of Lower Merion, was formally sworn in as the department’s latest superintendent.
“I want to thank our board of commissioners 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’ve done for me thus far as the commissioners and the leaders of this township. I will not let you down. I will not let our citizens down, nor will I let down our fine officers of the Lower Merion Police Department down.”
Block officially became Lower Merion superintendent on June 3, but township officials waited until this month’s commissioners meeting for the swearing-in ceremony.
Block has been a police officer for nearly 40 years, most of that time working in Radnor Township. Recently, he served as police chief in Upper Moreland Township. He has also served as a member of the Gladwyne Fire Company, including some of that time as its chief.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Neumann University and a Master’s 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 Magisterial Judge Henry Schireson formally swore in Block as superintendent during Wednesday night’s Lower Merion Board of Commissioners meeting.
Schireson said police and courts are held in high esteem in the United States.
“True respect for the law is promoted by our integrity, our impartiality, our sense of fair play, our conscientious attention to duty, and yes, our sense of duty,” Schireson said. “I know Andy as a person who embodies these qualities. Someone is generally caring, humble, an unwavering sense of duty – you couldn’t ask for more in a police superintendent.”
Todd Sinai, president of the board of commissioners, said many people have come to him to say that the township’s choice of Block was a great one.
“When it comes to policing, I believe that our board of commissioners has one singular goal, which is to have the best possible police department,” Sinai said. “I’m glad that tonight, we’ll add to our array of amazing officers, command staff, and police department staff with the swearing-in of an outstanding superintendent.”
Commissioner Dan Bernheim said that for everything they do as a municipality, the most important thing they do is keeping the public safe. And the most important decisions they make in public safety is when they select a chief fire officer and a police superintendent.
“Those who know Andy, respect him, hold him in the highest regard, and those who don’t, and I address those in the police force, you are going to find out why they do so very, very quickly,” Bernheim said. “It is absolutely a privilege and an honor to be a part of this ceremony here this evening. And if I can go out on a limb and give one piece of advice, just be yourself. We will all benefit so much from that.”
McNeely said that in the search and eventual hiring of Block, Lower Merion hired a national search firm and then saw candidates from all over the country, including 59 at the start.
The 59 were narrowed down to eight finalists. Six of those eight were from the Philadelphia area, and the other two were out of state.
“But in the end, we are so very pleased to have landed on somebody who has lived their entire life in Lower Merion Township,” McNeely said.
McNeely pointed out Block’s 38 years in law enforcement and 28 years in Radnor Township.
“We are so glad to welcome Andy Block as our new superintendent,” McNeely said.
