Norristown Narrows Police Chief Search To A 'Top 10'

NORRISTOWN, PA — The municipality of Norristown has narrowed down its search for a new police chief to a top 10 of potential candidates, they said in an update this week, and hope to swear in the new chief by June 3.

The municipality has been in search mode since last fall, when former Jacqueline Bailey-Davis was put on administrative leave for reasons that were never disclosed. Weeks later, she resigned.

Bailey-Davis, the first woman to ever hold the position, had only been in office since Jan. 1, 2024. Norristown is now seeking their fourth new police chief in as many years.

Municipal council said this week that the top 10 list came from reviewing feedback in a community survey put out over the winter, along with various candidate applications. They expect to have the current list narrowed from a top 10 to a top five by March 21.

Those top five will be interviewed in early April before being narrowed to a top three. The top three will then take part in a community meeting with residents before the selection is made in May and the swearing-in is held on June 3.

"We seek a leader who can balance public safety’s immediate needs with long-term strategic planning while championing equity, transparency, and accountability," the municipality's job description reads. "The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator, a team builder, and a change agent who values diversity and inclusion."

Bailey-Davis's departure follows nearly a year of Captain Michael Bishop holding the role as active chief, and another one year tenure of former Chief Derrick Wood, who retired to care for his mother.

James Angelucci is serving as acting police chief in Norristown while the search is underway.