Politics & Government
New Police Chief At The Helm Of Cheltenham Township PD
John P. Slavin is the new chief of police in Cheltenham Township. He has nearly four decades worth of law enforcement experience.
CHELTENHAM, PA — A new chief of police is heading up the Cheltenham Township Police Department in eastern Montgomery County.
John P. Slavin was recently promoted to the position of chief, bringing close to four decades' worth of law enforcement experience to a community where he has already worked in variety of ranks and assignments for many years.
"In my role as Chief, I will continue to build a strong partnership with our community and to increase our level of positive community engagement with residents," Slavin said in a statement. "I am committed to improving our services with a community policing approach and to advancing professionalism in our ranks."
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Slavin, who has been with the Cheltenham Township Pollice Department for more than 30 years, got his start in law enforcement working as a deputy sheriff for Montgomery County, according to a bio provided by the township.
Before being hired in Cheltenham, Slavin worked for a time as a police officer in neighboring Rockledge Borough.
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Slavin has worked in a variety of ranks and special assignments, including spending 18 years as a K9 handler.
In Cheltenham, Slavin was promoted to corporal in 2004, sergeant in 2006, and lieutenant in 2015.
He also served in administrative services, detective division, patrol division, and was appointed to the position of acting chief in the fall of 2021, according to his bio.
Slavin said he looks forward to continuing his 37-year-career in law enforcement with his new position as Cheltenham's chief.
"I look forward to working with our Board of Commissioners, our residents, our Officers, and staff in identifying community-directed priorities and concerns and developing effective solutions," Slavin said in his statement. "I am grateful for this opportunity to lead and look forward to advancing the mission and standing of the Cheltenham Police Department moving forward."
Slavin has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public safety administration.
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