North Catasauqua Borough Council unanimously approved the promotion of Cpl. Chris Wolfer to chief of police during its Feb. 3 meeting.

Wolfer had served as interim chief since July 2019, when Kim Moyer died at the age of 68. Moyer was nearing his 40-year anniversary as the borough’s chief of police.

Borough staff agree they have been impressed with Wolfer’s drive to improve the department, as well as his ability to handle the stresses and responsibilities of being chief, especially in the wake of such a tragedy.

Mayor William Molchany Jr. and the police committee began the search for a new chief in August 2019, but Wolfer’s performance as interim chief proved to be a much more impressive job interview.

Before council voted to promote Wolfer, Molchany commended him for his work thus far.

“It brings me great joy to promote Chris to chief,” he said.

Molchany described a list of changes Wolfer has made in the past six months, which include adding desk computers for all full-time officers, training and reassigning officers based on their personal strengths, representing North Catasauqua in regional chief of police meetings, implementing a nightly business security check in the borough, creating fair shift schedules with full coverage and meticulous data collection of 911 calls and other police records.

Council President Peter Paone said it would be “impossible to fill [Moyer’s] shoes” but stressed the late chief “would be really, really proud” of Wolfer’s appointment.

Prior to Wolfer’s swearing in, council was given a special presentation from Comprehensive Criminal Justice Solutions, a professional criminal justice training and consulting firm operated by retired law enforcement professionals. Wolfer met some of the firm’s partners when he took their criminal justice classes at Penn State University and invited them to help the borough police department manage its transition to a new chief.

The firm’s representatives detailed their expertise in hiring, coaching and mentoring police chiefs, which will be helpful for Wolfer as he continues his role.

They offer administrative assistance and officer training, specifically tailored to the needs of the department, which are determined through a thorough internal analysis.

Borough council members were interested in what the firm has to offer and said they trust Wolfer’s decision that the services are necessary. The chief will continue to meet with Comprehensive Criminal Justice Solutions so it can conduct an initial analysis of the police department’s needs and offer council a quote for services.