Police chief to retire in July
POTTSTOWN » Police Chief F. Richard Drumheller stunned borough council, and the wider community, when he announced April 4 that he will retire 18 months earlier than planned.
Coming off the success of apprehending a suspect just three days after a brutal Easter Sunday murder that made headlines up and down the East Coast, Drumheller is going out on top.
“I would like to announce that during my five years as chief, Part One (major, violent) crimes have been reduced by 19.7 percent,” was how Drumheller began his statement to borough council made during his usual monthly safety report.
“There are many factors that are involved in this drop. However, the bottom line is that Part One crimes are on a four-year decline. This is great news for the borough,” he said. “This reduction indicates that crime in Pottstown is not rampant, despite what you may read on social media.”
While the arrest of Bobbie Mitchell in the shooting death of Siana Overby, 23, just three days after the Easter Sunday shooting — and the announcement of the dropping crime rate — were demonstrably good news, what followed could easily be described as its opposite.
“After much thought and soul-searching, I have decided to leave the DROP program early and retire as chief,” Drumheller said into a stunned silence that pervaded the room.
“This speech should serve notice that my last day in a Pottstown police uniform will be July 6, 2018. I will leave that day after my last shift at 4 p.m. This provides council with my 90-day notice required by contract,” said Drumheller.
Under the provisions of the deferred retirement, or DROP program, in which he was enrolled, Drumheller’s last day was expected to be on Feb. 8, 2020, he told Digital First Media.
However, he said, “I know in my heart it’s time.”
It’s the same advice he has given other officers over the 30 years he has worked in Pottstown.
“In the past, I have counseled fellow officers that you will know in your heart when it is time to leave. It is my time,” he told council, his voice wavering slightly. “So this warrior plans to take off his sword and lay it down. I must trust that the officers I’ve worked with, will seamlessly fill the gap of my departure.”
When he was hired in 2013, Drumheller, who previously served as captain under former chief Mark Flanders, said his goal was to lower the crime rate by 1 to 2 percent per year.
He said he wanted the department to become more data-oriented, mapping crime hot spots and to focus policing efforts there, as opposed to being “too Pottstown police Chief F. Richard Drumheller problem-oriented. You call, College in Reading. we come.” Borough council President
“I want to use data to see Dan Weand told where the problems are and Drumheller that he had get there before the fact,” he been in contact with the said at the time, describing Montgomery County District a strategy that in retrospect Attorney’s Office regarding has paid a handsome return the speedy capture for the Pottstown community. of Mitchell “and they told me what a pleasure it is for
Drumheller served as them to work with the Pottstown Pottstown’s police captain Police Department. from July 2007 until his appointment They consider it to be the as chief in April best police department in 2013. Montgomery County. And
Prior to that, he spent that’s not the first time I four years as a detective have heard them say that.” sergeant. “I have strived to keep
He holds a bachelor of the police department relevant science degree in crime in today’s world,” and justice from Albright Drumheller said. “This
“It is my time. So this warrior plans to take off his sword and lay it down.”
F. Richard Drumheller, Pottstown Police Chief upon announcing his retirement
community has complex issues and the best way to address them is a teach approach.”
Other members of council also thanked him for his years of service — “service, honesty and integrity,” Councilman Joe Kirlland added — all except for Councilman Dennis Arms, who joked, “I’m not going to thank you yet Chief. I still have three more months to bug you.”
“I thank you for the opportunity to serve this community. I’ve enjoyed my time here in the borough and have tried hard to wear this uniform with pride,” Drumheller said. “As chief, I’ve tried to guide, train and direct both the community and my fellow officers. I will miss it.”
Not surprisingly, no plans were announced about how or when the next chief will be chosen.