Expanded Police Services On The Table In Radnor Township

RADNOR, PA – Superintendent Christopher B. Flanagan asked Radnor commissioners this week to revolutionize police services by hiring five officers for two units to provide help with domestic violence, de-escalation of serious crime, mental health, and other services.

“Radnor is a phenomenal community,” Flanagan said. “We are charged with providing great police services and we want to be responsible to the people who live here and those who visit. This will help us provide better services.”

The township employs 45 police officers, including highway patrols, detectives, a K-9 unit, a narcotics unit, and an integrity control office.

The proposal calls for these additions:

• Community Unit: Three officers and one social worker specializing in crisis intervention, de-escalation professionals, and peer management
• High-Density Beat Unit: Two officers who respond to high-density areas.

Following the presentation, the commissioners agreed informally to add the positions and vote at the next meeting in favor of the request.

Commissioner Moira Mulroney, board president, said she is impressed with the presentation provided by the superintendent.

Commissioner Sean Farhy, who represents Garrett Hill, said he supports the increase, noting this is a priority job dealing with horrendous crime and mental health.

Request for specialized policing

Candice Linehan, assistant executive director of the Delaware Victim Assistance Center, said the agency works with Radnor police on domestic violence cases.
Linehan said the chief is asking for officers who are specialized in providing help to victims of domestic violence and their family members to prevent future incidents.

Radnor resident Keeley Seymour, a clinical social worker, said the social worker would respond to mental health crises, and help to de-escalate situations without using force.

Seymour said that victims would receive help to prevent further crisis situations.

Robert Tate, finance director, said there is a grant program that could provide $125,000 per officer.