Scott Fida Takes Over As New Police Chief In Horsham As William Daly Retires After 35 Yrs

HORSHAM, PA — There has been a changing of the guard at the Horsham Township Police Department.

After nearly 35 years with the department, Police Chief William Daly retired from his post this week, officially handing the reins over to Deputy Chief Scott Fida, who is now the new chief in Horsham.

The move came during the Horsham Township Council meeting this week.

Council members recognized Daly’s accomplishments throughout this decades of service and presented him with a proclamation for this dedication to the community.

Daly, who was surrounded by friends and family, also received honorary citations from State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-151, State Sen. Maria Collett, D-12, Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, according to social media posts from Horsham Township.

A community member on a Horsham Township public Facebook group also reported on the meeting.

According to a township bio, Daly first joined the Horsham Township Police Department back in 1987. He rose to the rank of sergeant in 1998 and then became lieutenant in 2004. Nine years after that he was appointed as the department’s first-ever deputy chief, and then, in 2014, he attained the rank of chief, overseeing a department that polices the township of around 26,000 residents.

Daly, a U.S. Air Force veteran, had implemented numerous programs during his tenure as police chief, according to the township. This included starting up the bicycle patrol division, K9 Unit, motor patrol, and overseeing a complete upgrade of the department’s computer system. He also oversaw the addition of computers in patrol cars and the expansion of DNA testing at the department, the township stated in a Facebook post.

“We thank Chief Daly for his outstanding leadership and dedication to serving and protecting the citizens of Horsham Township,” the post reads. “We will miss you and wish you all the best in retirement.”

After recognizing Daly at this week’s meeting, Township Manager William Gildea-Walker then swore in Deputy Chief Fida as the new police chief. Fida then turned around and swore in Detective Sgt. Adam Dunning as the department’s new lieutenant.

According to Fida's LinkedIn profile, he began as a patrol officer with Horsham back in the spring of 2001. He was promoted to sergeant in 2013, lieutenant in 2018, and rose to the rank of deputy chief in October 2020.

The Horsham Township Police Department has around 40 members.