Q&A with Chief Petrick of the Ferguson Township Police Department

In order to better get to know Ferguson Township's new Chief of Police, John Petrick, we did a Q&A. Here is what Chief Petrick had to say:

What is your background in law enforcement?
I am an experienced law enforcement leader with over 32 years in diverse law enforcement settings, 20 of which were of executive/command experience as Chief of Police. I have experience at NYPD and midsize municipal agencies including Patton Township and Ephrata Borough, as well as higher education policing at Penn State University.

Why did you decide to join Ferguson Township PD?
This is an excellent opportunity for me to contribute the knowledge, experiences, and skills that I have acquired over my 32 in the field to further our policing efforts and serve those of Ferguson Township.  

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I am looking forward to building positive and trusting relationships with members of the department and the stakeholders that we so proudly serve.

As the new Chief, what would you like to prioritize within the department?
I would like to prioritize the department’s community policing efforts. This comes in many forms, including, but not limited to, foot patrols, bike patrols, school visits, etc. to partner with those that we serve to promote a safer community.

What kind of initiatives are important to you and how can the PD be involved?
I am a proponent of community policing and have a deep passion for it. This concept allows for the police department to collaborate with the Township stakeholders, which are the residents, businesses, schools, civic organizations, houses of worship, and so on, to reduce crime and address safety concerns.

What is your overall goal as Ferguson Township’s new Chief of Police?
My goal as Chief of Police is to lead a department that provides exceptional law enforcement services to those that we serve.