Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For More Information:
Ginny Hand , 610-655-6234

MAYOR TOM MCMAHON AND POLICE COMMAND ANNOUNCE HIRING OF NEW POLICE CHIEF

Reading Mayor Tom McMahon announced today that William M. Heim, Chief of Police of Lancaster, PA has been hired as Chief of the Reading Police Department, subject to confirmation by Reading City Council.

Chief Heim, formerly Chief of Police in the City of Reading from 1997-2000, has been the Chief of Police in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since 2000.

“The city of Reading has achieved significant progress over the past two years in the area of economic development, particularly in the downtown area, and we have been successful in the organization of neighborhood citizen groups,” Mayor McMahon said, “but we clearly need to step up our efforts in law enforcement to combat increased activity of the criminal element in the city of Reading.”

“I believe that the hiring of Mr. Heim as Police Chief will allow us to achieve measurable results in crime reduction, based on his proven track record not only in Reading previously but also in other municipalities in which he has served.” McMahon urged the city council to act quickly to confirm the nomination so that the City could move forward more aggressively with a strengthened law enforcement team in 2006.

Heim, a strong advocate of Community oriented policing, has adapted several innovative strategies for the implementation of this policy in the Lancaster area.

Over the past four years as Chief of the Lancaster Police Department, Mr. Heim achieved a 54% reduction in robberies with firearms and a 28% reduction in assaults with firearms in that city of nearly 70,000 people. "I'm pleased for this opportunity to rejoin the city of Reading's management team. I enjoyed being the police chief here before, and look forward to serving this community again. I would like to thank the Mayor, City Council, and Chief Broad for their confidence. In order to meet the challenges faced by the city, I think it's important to assemble a team that has different experiences and perspectives. I'm hoping that my contributions will help lead the police department to further success", stated Chief Heim.

Chief Charles R. Broad, who has spent the last three years as Chief of the Reading Police Department will continue to be part of the Reading Police team as Deputy Chief.

In that position, he will direct the operations of crime statistics, mapping and technology enhancement for the city of Reading, and will assist Chief Heim in the advancement of the city’s law enforcement efforts. McMahon commended Chief Broad for his past service to this department and said he was pleased that Chief Broad will continue to enhance the Department with his skills and expertise.

City Council members were notified of the Mayor’s decision late Wednesday afternoon and indicated support for the mayor’s action to strengthen the police management team for the benefit of the citizens of Reading.

Pending council action for confirmation on January 23, 2006, it is anticipated that Chief Heim will begin work in Reading on or about February 1, 2006.