Police officer sworn in virtually
Abdenour Fahem, native of Algeria, is newest hire
UPPER GWYNEDD » The words were the same, but the setting, and the person saying them, could not have been more different from normal.
Upper Gwynedd’s commissioners formally swore in new police Officer Abdenour Fahem on Monday night, in a unique virtual ceremony for a one-of-akind officer.
“Now you have to say it all in all five languages that you speak. Congratulations, and welcome to Upper Gwynedd. We’re very excited to have you,” said commissioners President Liz McNaney.
Fahem was formally hired by the board in October and brings a unique
background to the force, according to a biography Deputy Chief Ted Caiola read to the board. Fahem was born and raised in Algeria, Africa,
where he was a shepherd and farmer, and obtained the equivalent of an associate’s degree in English there before emigrating to the United States in 2009.
“Soon after he became a citizen in 2013, he joined and served in the United States Army. He studied at Drexel University, and has also completed the Montgomery County basic Act 120 police academy,” Caiola told the board.
“Fahem speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Berber, Arabic and French, and he has a second-degree black belt in karate,” he said.
Prior to arriving in Upper Gwynedd, Fahem has worked as a part-time police officer in West Conshohocken starting in October 2018, and in Telford since July 2019, according to the deputy chief.
“Bot h depa r t ment s spoke very highly of Fahem’s performance as a police officer and an employee,” he said.
A resident of Harleysville, Fahem will work on a four-to-five month structured training program with several of the department’s field training
officers on areas including in-house firearms, defensive, and de-escalation tactics, as well as on the use of less than lethal force, according to police Chief David Duffy.
Since Monday night’s commissioners meeting was held virtually, Fahem became the department’s first officer to be sworn in via Zoom, raising his right hand and repeating his oath via videoconference as District Judge Suzan Leonard led him in vowing that he will support, defend and obey the constitutions of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the laws and ordinances of Upper Gwyn
edd Township.
“I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer with fidelity. Thank you, Your Honor,” Fahem said, to applause from the board and a friendly jibe from McNaney about repeating the oath in each language.
“We apologize for the delay, but it was worth the wait,” McNaney said, and Fahem replied, “Absolutely. Thank you.”
For more on the Upper Gwynedd Police Department visit www.upperg w y neddpolice.org, search for “Upper Gwynedd Police Department” on Facebook or follow @ UGPD on Twitter.