Upper Darby Police Force Looking More Like the Community It Serves

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The new recruits for Upper Darby Police are the most diverse yet, reports Chris O’Connell for fox29.com.

Nine new officers joined up. They include the department’s first officer of South Asian descent, a female recruit, two locals who grew up in Upper Darby and several who speak different languages.

It is a history-making moment. 

“As a chief of police it’s the greatest thing in the world to have a police department that represents the community you serve,” said Police Superintendent Tim Bernhardt said.

That includes an officer who can speak the language of Upper Darby’s Sikh community.

It’s a way to be a bridge between the community and law enforcement, said Inderbir Randahwa, one of the new recruits.

“Some people would approach a female differently than they would a male officer, maybe they’re more willing to talk to you,” recruit Maura O’Connell added.

The township has been on a mission to diversify its police force. It plans to hire 12 more full-time officers by the end of the year.

“It’s just really important for building trust within the community that the police officers look like the community,” Upper Darby Mayor Barbarann Keffer said.

Read  more at fox29.com about Upper Darby’s police force.

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