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On Friday morning, Bendig, retiring after 35 years in service, shook hands, hugged friends and signed off.
Through his police career, J. Scott Bendig has been more than a chief’s chief or cop’s cop – he was an officer for the people.
Behind the badge of Montgomery Township’s police chief lies a heart committed not only to justice, but also compassion to the shared struggles of his community.
On a beautiful Friday morning, a wave of emotion swept through the North Penn community and beyond as a heartfelt gauntlet of friends, officers, colleagues, and government dignitaries lined the sidewalk outside police headquarters and township administration offices to bid farewell to Bendig.
After 35 years of steadfast service, he walked through a sea of familiar faces, each one reflecting a blend of admiration, bittersweet sorrow, and storytelling. Tears welled more and more as he continued down the line – the same can be send of those wishing him well in semi-retirement.
That morning, everyone was a witness, not just to Bendig’s leadership, but to his humanity as well. The send-off revealed a poignant truth often overlooked in the stern face of law enforcement: cops have feelings too.
Bendig’s legacy will forever resonate beyond the walls of 1001 Stump Road.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with such a great group of people, officers and professional staff and the citizens of this community. It’s awesome,” Bendig said. “I was fortunate. I inherited a great police department. I hope I made it a little bit better.”
“It’s a great place, a great town, and great people,” he said. “The people need to know how much the people here all care about the citizens that live in this community and work here and travel through. It’s just a great place.”
Bendig took over as police chief in 2012, after Richard Brady retired, spending 31 of 42 years as chief.
“I hired him,” Brady said. “His performance, his determination, his education made him stand out. Everybody made a contribution to the department. The township is actually losing a very good guy. He was an outstanding officer, an outstanding sergeant, and an outstanding chief. The department will lose a lot, but his replacement is more than capable.”
Bendig’s replacement is Lt. William Peoples, effective Friday.
“Bill is an awesome individual. He will do an outstanding job,” Bendig said, before offering advice for his successor. “Follow your heart. A wise chief once said to me, sometimes you have to do what a chief has to do. It might not be what you want to do. It’s hard sometimes. But follow your heart. Do the right thing.”
By James Short Township Manager Carolyn McCreary took on her role leading the township in January 2020.
“He was an integral part of everything we were able to do in these four years,” she said. “As wonderful of a chief he is, he is an even better human being and that’s the real loss for us.”
She said Bendig treats everybody the same, regardless of position or economic status.
“He is an incredible human being, and you can’t say that about a lot of people anymore,” McCreary said.
She said it is important to continue the culture that the police department and township has in the wake of Bendig’s departure and the new era of Chief Peoples.
“Chief Peoples can slide right in and continue that standard of excellence that Chief Bendig and Chief Brady have set,” she said.
By James Short Former Township Manager Larry Gregan said he enjoyed working with Bendig during his time at the township. Gregan retired in 2019.
“I was there when he was promoted from lieutenant to chief, and there through his time as chief, and it was a pleasure working with him on a daily basis,” Gregan said. “I could ask him for anything, or ask him to do anything, and he would try and do it for you. The township is fortunate to have someone like Bill (Peoples) as the future chief. He’ll work well with everybody.”
Former Township Supervisor Mike Fox was on the board when Bendig was promoted to chief. Fox was on the board for 12 years, beginning in 2007.
“Quite honestly, it was a real easy decision,” Fox said. “He had all the credentials, he had all the support of the rank and file, and great support from the board. He was very professional and that continued during his entire tenure.”
Fox said Peoples is and was a big part of the way the police force has been created today.
“He did a lot of accreditation work and he’s always been a part of the operation,” Fox said. “As big of a loss it is with Scott leaving the department, Bill is the right guy.”
By James Short Board of Supervisors Chair Tanya Bamford said it was bittersweet seeing Bendig leave the department.
“I’m happy for the chief. He’s had a long and distinguished career and has been an asset to Montgomery Township,” she said. “We are sorry to lose him. I’m happy for him that he can take this next step forward in retirement – although he is going to Upper Moreland to be their chief, so I don’t know how much rest he’s going to get – but we’re going to miss him.”
The police department is in great hands with Peoples, she said. Bendig had an ability to recruit great talent and develop his officers with the necessary skills they need to be successful in their jobs.
“Succession planning has always been a part of his focus,” she said.
Magisterial District Judge Andrea Hudak Duffy said it has been a pleasure working with Bendig, as he has been an important asset to the township.
“We will miss him,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with Chief Peoples. I think it is a great path forward, but it is sad to see him go. He’s been dedicated for so long.”
Duffy said she is blessed to have two very good police departments – Montgomery and Hatfield – in her jurisdiction.
“It’s clear that the strength comes from the top. Scott has always led his officers in a professional and respectful manner,” she said.
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By James Short Hatfield Police Chief Bill Tierney said he will certainly miss him..
“He’s been a main confidant and we’ve been friends in this area for many, many, many years,” he said. “Much like he has tear in his eye, I have a tear in my eye knowing he’s leaving.”
Tierney said Bendig had a special ability to deal with personalities while governing his own personality.
“He weaves through many different boards, and all the different people who worked here, and he weaves through those who promoted him and those he managed – Scott has been a leader in that area,” he said.
Peoples, he said, will surely grow into his new role.
“I’m sure Bill will have his personal touches while maintaining things from the past, much like Scott did,” Tierney said.
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By James Short State Rep. Missy Cerrato, elected in 2022, remembered when she first introduced herself to all the police chiefs in her district.
“Montgomery Township and Scott were amazingly warm and welcoming. I spent an hour-and-a-half with the chief when I was scheduled for a half-hour,” she said. “He took me on a tour of the department, and introduced me to all the officers, and told me it wouldn’t be long until he’s ready to retire and move on.”
Cerrato said she is happy for the new career in Upper Moreland.
“Our loss is their gain,” she said. “He’s done such a spectacular job in the community.”
Bendig said, at this point in his career, the best part has been looking back and seeing some of the people that have come through the organization and leadership.
“It’s great when you see that you helped grow the department to where it is today. That’s the biggest thing,” he said.
Being an officer was something he always through about, ever since he was young, Bendig said.
“Montgomery Township was about as far as the shore from where I came from,” he said. “I didn’t really know where it was, and it worked out perfectly. This is what I wanted to do. I landed in the right spot.”
The most important part of Bendig’s successful career is his family – today, his son, Ryan, is a Pennsylvania State trooper and his daughter, Courtney, is a physician’s assistant. At their empty-nest home, it has been an emotional rollercoaster lately, admitted his wife, Florence.
“I told him, you went in as a boy, and came out as a man. Scott’s always been about putting everybody before himself,” she said.
Her husband created a level of professionalism and love for the community, she said.
“He was always about ‘give back and take care of the community.’ These are the people that you serve and that will definitely continue on,” she said. “He’s always wants people around him to rise up.”
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