Lower Merion to hold badge ceremony for new police superintendent
LOWER MERION — Lower Merion officials will officially welcome a new police superintendent during a badge ceremony later this month.
In May, township commissioners unanimously named Andrew Block as the next superintendent.
Block replaces Mike McGrath, who retired at the end of March. Block officially takes on his role as superintendent this week.
The badge ceremony is scheduled for the next board meeting on June 18 at 7:30 p.m.
“I am very humble, very grateful, and very overwhelmed at this moment,” Block said after the board of commissioners appointed him during a special meeting in May. “I thank you for all your kind comments and the support that the board and the nomination of Township Manager (Ernie) McNeely.”
Block is a lifelong Lower Merion resident with 38 years of law enforcement experience, most of which were his 28 years in the Radnor Township Police Department.
He most recently served as chief of the Upper Moreland Township Police Department. Block also volunteers with the Lower Merion fire service, currently at the Gladwyne Fire Department.
In naming Block, the township hired Baker Tilly’s executive search firm to help its nationwide search for a new police superintendent. The hiring panel consisted of two township commissioners, the township manager, two Fraternal Order of Police representatives, the human resources director, and the assistant township manager.
After an extensive interview and background investigation, Block was recommended as the new superintendent.
Block 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.
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