Letter to the Editor (Credit: Unsplash/Digital Content Writers India)
"The appointment of Chief Devlin wasn’t 'impromptu' nor 'abrupt.' It was the culmination of 30 years of his hard work and the overwhelming support of the residents he serves
The recent North Penn Now coverage of Ryan Devlin’s appointment as Police Chief leaned heavily on a 'process' championed by a certain minority of Council members, even citing comments withheld from the public during the business meeting by quoting a council member who chose not to make public comments. What it did not include was any of the public comments that were made, or any of the perspective from the majority of council who voted in favor. This editorial choice calls into question the narrative's intent. Most importantly, the coverage missed the real story: the overwhelming impact of the public voice.
On Wednesday night, we didn’t witness a "hopscotch" over procedure. We witnessed representative democracy at its finest. The motion to appoint Chief Devlin during new business was the direct result of the tide turning in real-time, fueled by the powerful testimony of citizens who spoke up for a leader they already know, trust, and respect.
Leadership is Earned in the Community, Not Just a Resume Pile
Councilman Garry Herbert argued that a "more comprehensive vetting process" was needed. Respectfully, how much more vetting does a man need after 30 years of distinguished service to Lansdale?
Chief Devlin began here in 1996. He began as a part-time officer, then worked his way to full-time officer rising to the levels of Sergeant, Lieutenant, SWAT Commander and Acting Chief. He led our department to its first-ever state accreditation in record time. To suggest that he needed to be "compared and contrasted" against outside candidates—as if his three decades of local institutional knowledge were a blank slate—is not just irresponsible; it is a dismissal of the excellence already present in our ranks.
Speaking for a Council That Was Never Aligned
Council President Meg Currie Teoh stated that Council put "significant effort" into a process and claimed that bypassing it was "disrespectful." It is important for the public to understand that "Council" is not a monolith.
The President’s comments imply a consensus that never existed. Not all members of Council agreed that an outside search was necessary or respectful to the gravity of the role. In fact, some believe that forcing a proven, highly-qualified internal leader to jump through bureaucratic hoops alongside outside applicants is what is truly disrespectful. To speak as the voice of the "full council" on a matter where we were never aligned is an overreach that ignores the diversity of opinion within our local government.
The Power of Public Comment
The real story of Wednesday night is how a single public comment can change the course of a meeting. When the community stands up and demands that their elected officials recognize the talent and dedication right in front of them, it is our job to listen — not to hide behind a "formalized process" for the sake of appearances.
The appointment of Chief Devlin was neither "impromptu" nor “abrupt.” It was the culmination of 30 years of his hard work and the overwhelming support of the residents he serves. The Lansdale Police Department itself stated that Devlin has the support of the entire department (100%!). This also was the very first time in the history of the department that a letter of recommendation was written and signed by every police officer in support of appointing a Chief. When the officers, the residents, Borough administration, including the Borough Manager, and a majority of Council are in agreement, waiting for more "vetting" isn't due diligence—it's an unnecessary delay.
We should be celebrating the fact that our local government was responsive to the people. We have a Chief who has protected us for thirty years, who has already proven his leadership, and who was chosen because the public voices were too loud to ignore. That isn't a failure of process; it is a success of the people.
Respectfully signed,
Councilman BJ Breish
Councilman Andrew Carroll
Councilwoman Mary Fuller
Councilwoman Carrie Oglesby
(This letter is a printed submission expressing the views and thoughts of the named writer. A Letter to the Editor is not the viewpoint nor stance of Access Network nor its affiliate websites. The letter is an opinion-based submission which contains statements intended only to share the thoughts of its author and is not a fact-checked news article.)
