Police chief leaving Allegheny Township for Lancaster County post

Allegheny Township’s police chief is headed to Eastern Pennsylvania.

Chief Duane Fisher, who succeeded longtime Chief John Fontaine in 2018, was named police chief Monday night in Manheim Township, a Lancaster County community of 44,000 residents.

Fisher, who grew up and attended college in York County’s Susquehanna Valley, is set to start leading that police force on Oct. 9 or Oct. 23, Manheim Manager Rick Kane said. The department has 64 sworn officers and 16 to 18 civilian employees. Fisher’s starting salary there is $135,000.

“It’s definitely a bittersweet moment, leaving a community that embraced me,” Fisher said. “I hope I made a difference.”

Fisher said he plans to submit a resignation letter to Allegheny Township supervisors at or before their Monday meeting. Interim township Manager Jason Dailey said he had not received the resignation letter Tuesday.

Fisher is the fifth Allegheny Township employee to leave his job this summer, with some elected leaders citing working conditions and tensions among the township’s three supervisors.

Three employees — administrative assistant Denise Johnston, Director of Public Safety Lee Schumaker and township Manager Greg Primm — resigned in August. In addition, administrative assistant Susan Teagarden retired June 30.

Fisher, though, said working conditions did not trigger his departure.

“At this point in time, I’ve reached my pinnacle in Allegheny Township — I think I’ve done as much as I can do,” he said. “It’s an intriguing and exciting opportunity, to go to Manheim and lead a department with those sorts of resources.”

Before coming to Allegheny Township in September 2018, Fisher served for 20 years on Mt. Lebanon’s police force, ending his tenure there as a lieutenant and a commander of the support division, typically a deputy chief post.

Fisher also served as a part-time police officer in Jackson Township, York County, from 1996 to 1998.

Fisher received his bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania in 1992 and a master’s degree in strategic leadership in 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile. He attended the FBI National Academy and earned a graduate-level certificate in criminal justice education in 2019.

“I have a lot of good things to say about Chief Fisher, but I’m going to hold off until I get his resignation letter,” Supervisor Mike Korn said.

“I want to thank Chief Fisher for his service and dedication to our township,” Supervisor James Morabito said. “The chance to be closer to family and friends where he grew up is a great opportunity for him.”

Supervisor Rennick “Ren” Steele was unavailable Tuesday.

Allegheny Township’s police force today has 12 officers, Fisher said. Fisher said his 2023 salary in Allegheny Township was $98,990.

The next highest-ranking Allegheny Township officer behind the departing chief is Sgt. Daniel Uncapher, who has worked for the township for more than 25 years, Fisher said.

Fisher did not have details Tuesday about a transition plan.

Manheim, a first-class township of about 24 square miles, had been seeking a police chief with help from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, Kane said.

A total of 26 officers applied for the chief post in Manheim, he said. Township officials interviewed the top six applicants, then narrowed down the field to three candidates.

“Ultimately, Mr. Fisher was the one they landed on,” Kane said.