So, if you’re living in or just passing through the 19027, you’ve probably seen the black-and-whites cruising around. But honestly, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes at the Cheltenham PA Police Department than just standard patrol. As of early 2026, the department is actually at a bit of a crossroads, especially with a massive search underway for a new Chief of Police. It’s a busy time.
The department isn't just some small-town operation. It’s the fifth largest in Montgomery County. We're talking about an agency that covers roughly nine square miles—basically the jigsaw puzzle of Glenside, Elkins Park, Wyncote, La Mott, Melrose Park, Laverock, and Cheltenham Village.
The Search for a New Leader
Right now, the big talk around the Township Building on Old York Road is the hunt for the next Chief. John Slavin has been the face of the department, but the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association is currently spearheading a search for a successor. They're looking to make an appointment by mid-2026, likely around June or July.
It’s a high-stakes hire.
The new chief is going to be stepping into a role that pays between $180,000 and $195,000, which tells you how much responsibility is on their plate. They aren't just managing the 69 or so sworn officers; they’re dealing with a community that is incredibly engaged and, frankly, expects a lot. Cheltenham isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of town. People here care about transparency and how the police interact with the diverse neighborhoods bordering Philadelphia.
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How the Department is Actually Structured
You might think a cop is a cop, but the Cheltenham PA Police Department is split into three main buckets. It’s more organized than it looks when you’re just seeing a cruiser at a red light.
- The Patrol Division: This is the heart of the force. Most of the officers live here. They work in four "platoons," which is just a fancy way of saying they have teams that cover the 24/7 cycle. Most of these officers are now trained in Crisis Intervention (CIT). That’s huge because it means when a call involves a mental health crisis, they aren't just rolling in with handcuffs first.
- The Detective Division: These are the folks handling the heavy lifting—think crime scene tech and long-term investigations. They’ve been pretty busy lately with some high-profile incidents, including a stabbing on a SEPTA bus in Elkins Park just this past January.
- Administrative Services: This is the "back office" that keeps the gears turning. They handle the training, internal investigations, and—most importantly for parents—the school crossing guards.
Community Policing: More Than Just a Catchphrase
Honestly, "community policing" is a term that gets thrown around by every department in the country, but in Cheltenham, it’s kinda baked into the schedule. You’ve probably seen them at the Harvest Festival or the Concerts in the Park.
They also run a K-9 unit and a SWAT team (as part of a regional effort), but the stuff that actually impacts daily life is their Highway Safety Unit. If you’ve ever complained about people flying down Church Road or Tookany Creek Parkway, those are the officers you’re dealing with. They do the traffic studies that determine where the speed traps and stop signs go.
Real Challenges and Recent Incidents
It hasn’t all been community festivals and parades. The department has had to deal with some tough calls recently. In September 2025, there was a scary incident involving a 2-year-old abduction that, thankfully, ended with an arrest. More recently, in early 2026, they had to track down suspects after a stabbing on a SEPTA bus.
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Managing the border with Philadelphia is a unique challenge. One minute you're in a quiet Wyncote neighborhood, and the next you're on the edge of a major city. That creates a specific kind of "overlap" crime—like the car break-ins that hit the area in 2024—that requires the Cheltenham PA Police Department to work closely with Philly PD and the Montgomery County DA.
The Recruiting Push
A year or two ago, the department was sweating over staffing numbers. They were down quite a few officers compared to their peak in the 90s. But they got creative. They started using electronic road signs with QR codes and hitting social media hard.
It worked.
They’ve been swearing in new officers regularly, including a fresh batch in July 2025. If you're looking at the numbers, a senior patrol officer in this area can make upwards of $132,000 by 2026. It’s a solid career, but the standards are high. You can’t just walk in; the background checks, polygraphs, and psychological exams are a gauntlet.
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What You Need to Know (Actionable Steps)
If you need to interact with the department, don't just wing it.
1. Using the Right Number: For emergencies, it's 911. Always. But for something like a noisy neighbor or a non-emergency report, call 215-885-1600. Don't tie up the emergency lines for a lost dog.
2. Getting Records: If you need a police report for insurance after a fender-bender on Cheltenham Ave, you usually have to go through the Administrative Services division during business hours.
3. Stay Updated: The department is surprisingly active on social media and CRIMEWATCH. If there’s a road closure or a neighborhood alert, that’s where it hits first.
4. Join the Conversation: The Township Board of Commissioners meetings are where the police budget and major policy changes (like the search for the new Chief) are actually discussed. If you have an opinion on how the town is policed, that’s the place to be heard.
The Cheltenham PA Police Department is an evolving animal. Between the new leadership coming in mid-2026 and the constant push for better community relations, it’s an agency that’s trying to balance old-school grit with modern, empathetic policing. Whether they're successful usually depends on how well they maintain that bridge between the officers and the 37,000 people they serve.