Township hires new police chief
John Ciarlello has served in Hatfield since 1997
After a ninemonth process that saw 49 people apply for the job, the township supervisors swore in a new police chief.
Collegeville resident and, until recently, a Hatfield Township police lieutenant, John A. Ciarlello took the oath of office administered by Montgomery County Judge Risa Vetri-Ferman before a standing-room-only crowd.
Ciarlello agreed to a contract that expires on Dec. 31, 2024, and pays an annual salary of $140,000. He replaces Kevin McKeon who did not apply for the job and retired in December after enjoying an unusual 10-year contract.
In addition to the use of a township vehicle, computer and smartphone, Ciarlello will also receive an annual $500 uniform allowance, as well as 30 days off. Ciarlello will also receive health, life and injury insurance paid by the township.
He will serve a one-year probationary period during which he will be considered an “at will” employee “without the substantive and procedural rights under the police tenure act,” according to the Dec. 1 letter sent to Ciarlello from Township Manager Jamie Gwynn, who provided a copy upon a MediaNews Group request.
Gwynn said Ciarlello earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from Cabrini College with a criminal justice concentration and obtained a graduate degree in public safety management from St. Joseph’s University. He further
graduated from the FBI National Academy, the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI Leadership Trilogy Training.
Ciarlello began his police career in 1997 when he was hired as a full-time officer by the Hatfield Township Police department. Since then, he has served in many positions and risen through the ranks, according to Gwynn.
In his final role with the Hatfield Township Police Department, Ciarlello was operations lieutenant where he supervised