During a spirited and heartfelt township meeting May 7, South Whitehall Township officially recognized National Police Week (May 11-17) and celebrated major milestones in local law enforcement leadership.

Township Board of Commissioners President Diane Kelly began the evening by reading a proclamation prepared by Administrative Assistant Tracy Fehnel, affirming the township’s observance of National Police Week.

The proclamation, originally established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide.

South Whitehall’s commissioners expressed gratitude to current and former officers for their dedication to keeping the township safe and maintaining the highest standards of professional policing.

The evening’s centerpiece was the official swearing-in of Frank J. Lombardo as South Whitehall Township’s new Chief of Police.

Lombardo, who was appointed at the March 5 board of commissioners meeting, took his oath of office in front of Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Anna-Kristie Marks.

The ceremony marked the culmination of Lombardo’s journey and fulfillment of all Commonwealth law enforcement requirements.

“This is a pledge to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the ordinances of South Whitehall Township with integrity, impartiality and professionalism,” Marks said before administering the oath.

In his first address as chief, Lombardo reflected on his journey to South Whitehall, including a pivotal conversation on a train between Dublin and Belfast that ignited his path to leadership.

On the train he met two police chiefs from Pennsylvania.

He emphasized his identity as a “street cop at heart,” committing to lead with the practical, frontline perspective that shaped his career.

Lombardo praised his new department’s culture of accountability and officer safety and recognized the strength and support of regional police leadership and his former colleagues from South Brunswick Township, N.J.

“Leadership isn’t about you anymore,” Chief Lombardo reminded the audience. “It’s about taking care of those in your charge. Our responsibility is to ensure officers are equipped, trained and supported to face every challenge.”

The event also included the promotion of Officer Alexie Torres to the rank of sergeant.

Lombardo lauded Torres’ seven years of distinguished service, highlighting his role as a bike patrol officer, field training officer, defensive tactics instructor and use-of-force expert.

“Alexie is the Leatherman tool of our department – versatile, respected, and, above all, a good man,” Lombardo said. “That’s not praise cops give lightly.”

Torres’ promotion follows the successful completion of the township’s civil service testing and his swearing-in was met with applause and appreciation from community members, family and fellow officers.

As South Whitehall looks forward to Police Week, the board of commissioners urged residents and businesses to express their appreciation for the township’s law enforcement.

The evening served not only as a celebration of professional accomplishments, but also as a moving tribute to the values of service, leadership and community.