Towamencin: Troxel sworn in; departing Dickinson honored
TOWAMENCIN » Monday night marked the end of one era and the start of another for the Towamencin Township Police Department.
Retiring police Chief Tim Dickinson was formally recognized for the end of a 43-year career in law enforcement, and his successor Tim Troxel was officially sworn in.
“This is really a bittersweet time. We are sad to see Tim go — on the other hand, we’re excited to welcome the new Tim,” said board Chairman Chuck Wilson.
“This is really a bittersweet time. We are sad to see Tim go — on the other hand, we’re excited to welcome the new Tim.” — board Chairman Chuck Wilson.
In February 2020 Dickinson announced plans to retire at the end of that year, a year that turned turbulent with the arrival of COVID-19 in March, the passing of supervisor Jim Sinz in May, regional protests in the summer, the search for a missing five-year-old girl who was then found dead in an August flood, and ongoing issues like truck traffic and enforcing COVID safety guidelines.
“You’ve just done an outstanding job for us, both as a manager of a department, and as a leader of the department. I don’t think we could ask for someone to do a better job for us,” Wilson said.
Dickinson began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer, then sergeant and detective with Lower Moreland Township’s department from 1977 to 1992, then led Perkasie Borough as their chief from 1992 to 2005. When hired by Towamencin, he became the third full-time chief since the department was established in 1975, and Wilson said tops among the outgoing chief ’s accomplishments was earning accreditation status through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association’s Accreditation Program in 2012, then re-accreditation in 2015 and ‘18.
“W h i le re c og n i z i n g Chief Dickinson for his exemplary performance at Towamencin Township, the township would also like to proclaim a job well done, and express their appreciation for protecting the public for over four decades,” Wilson said.
A farewell post by the police department Monday noted other accomplishments, including starting up a highway safety unit, expanding the department’s involvement with the North Penn and later Montgomery County SWAT teams, and supporting the North Penn DUI task force. That post drew over a hundred comments from local residents, mostly thanking Dickinson for his efforts, and the chief himself said “it has been my pleasure, privilege and honor to serve three great communities, and to work with and meet so many wonderful people.”
Strengths of the now-former chief included dealing with residents, businesses, and other organizations throughout the township, Wilson added, saying “everyone I’ve ever talked to has had nothing but positive things to say about you,” and few issues relating to police ever needed board attention.
“I think a mark of a great leader, and a great manager, is that we see very few of those issues that rise to the board level. I think how little we’ve had to deal with those things is a real credit to you,” he said.
State Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24th, presented Dickinson with a formal commendation from the state legislature, saying the chief represented “the finest spirit of public service” through his devotion to protecting the public.
Supervisor Laura Smith added that “the one thing that keeps going through my mind is how safe you made us all feel,” and supervisor Dan Littley said Dickinson had been “very very successful, and a good friend. We’ll miss you.”
After the farewells to Dickinson, up stepped Troxel, whom the board announced in December 2020 would be the next full-time chief, and who had previously been a lieutenant with the Upper Moreland Police Department with 25 years of police experience.
Wearing a mask and standing with his family at a separate microphone several feet from Wilson, Troxel raised his right hand and officially swore his oath and received his badge.
“We had our list of what we were looking for in a police chief, and you checked all the boxes off,” Wilson said.
“We think you’re the right person to succeed Tim. He’s a tough act to follow, but we’re confident that you’re up to it, and you’re going to take the department to even higher levels,” he said.
“I certainly hope to — big shoes to fill, and I hope to fill them well,” Troxel replied.