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Derry Township names new chief of police

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa – The Derry Township Board of Supervisors has appointed Garth Warner Chief of the Derry Township Police Department effective March 8th. Warne...
officer

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa – The Derry Township Board of Supervisors has appointed Garth Warner Chief of the Derry Township Police Department effective March 8th. Warner, a member of the department since March, 1988, was named Acting Chief following the retirement of Chief Patrick O’Rourke in January.

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Marc Moyer said, “We are fortunate to have the strength within the Department to fill this crucial position. The Board of Supervisors is confident in Chief Warner’s operational knowledge and abilities, and we value the relationships he has built with the members of our Department and the Derry Township community.”

Garth has served the department in a number of capacities, most recently as the lieutenant of operational logistics, a position he was promoted to 2012. Shortly after being hired by the department, he became a traffic safety officer and a traffic accident reconstructionist. The majority of his career, 21 years, was dedicated to being a K9 Handler, during which time he worked with partners Rex, Jet, and Renko. He is also a member of the department’s motorcycle brigade and a past president of the Derry Township Police Association.

Warner grew up in Hershey, graduating from Hershey High School in 1983. He is devoted to the citizens of Derry Township. He began his career in law enforcement with the Highspire Borough Police Department at the age of 19. He is known to have a calm demeanor, is a decisive leader and a respected role model in law enforcement. He is memorable for the quality of his character and caring, compassionate personality. He is also the recipient of many commendations for his aggressive pursuit of criminals and off-duty apprehensions.

Warner was a member of the unit that responded to the accident on Wood Road in July, 2013 that resulted in a natural gas leak. Responding to the potential danger, he, his unit, and the Fire Department, restricted access to the area and executed one of the largest evacuations known in the history of Derry Township, and was presented with a Distinguished Unit Citation for their emergency response. He has received three Life Saving Awards for administering care in life-threatening situations.

Warner is grateful for the opportunity to lead the police department and said, “I am deeply honored by the Township’s decision to promote me to Chief of Police. I have either lived or worked in Derry Township my entire life. I am truly appreciative of what this community has to offer to those who live, work, and visit here. As Chief, I will strive to serve the men and women of the Derry Township Police Department with fairness and integrity so they can better serve the citizens, businesses, and guests of our township. I look forward to serving as Chief of Police and hope to maintain existing partnerships as well as form new ones with those who also want to make this community the best in Central Pennsylvania.”

The Derry Township Police Department has 39 sworn officers, in addition to administrative civilians, community service officers, communication dispatchers, and special school police.

Derry Township is home to 24,600 residents and hosts 5,000,000 visitors a year
*Township of Derry * 600 Clearwater Road Hershey, PA 17033* http://www.derrytownship.org

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