Exeter Township has tapped veteran Berks County law enforcement officer Stephen D. Powell as its new police chief and promoted a lieutenant to deputy chief as part of a succession plan for the 38-member department.
Stephen D. Powell, who has served as chief of both West Reading and Spring Township police departments in recent years, began his tenure as Exeter’s chief on Dec. 8.
The previous chief, Matthew Harley, announced his retirement in August.
Township Manager William Heim said Exeter didn’t formally advertise the position. He interviewed a couple of internal candidates and a couple of external candidates before extending an employment offer to Powell.
“I settled on Chief Powell, who had the most breadth of experience,” Heim said. “We thought he would be the best fit to continue to move this really good department forward.”
Powell needed no introduction. He was one of the leaders of the Reading Police Department a decade ago when Heim was the city police chief.
“I worked with Steve closely in the city of Reading when I was chief and he was a captain,” Heim said. “When he had his tenure in West Reading and then Spring Township, he did a fine job.”
He added that Powell is widely respected among members of law enforcement in Berks County.
Heim said picking the police chief is his responsibility because it’s one of the key positions that he oversees as the township manager.
The deputy chief position, which had been vacant under the previous chief, was filled with the promotion of Steve Schaeffer, a 30-year department veteran, from lieutenant.
Both men are Exeter residents, Heim said.
Heim said the promotion was intended to position Schaeffer to move into the chief’s role when Powell’s tenure ends — a succession plan similar to one Powell transitioned through as deputy chief and chief in Spring Township.
Powell, 61, spent the first 22 years of his 34-year career in Reading. He served from 2013 to 2020. He left West Reading when he was hired as deputy chief in Spring Township. Two years later, he moved into the chief’s position, serving until he retired from that department in August 2025.
Powell said he wasn’t pursuing a new position after retiring from Spring Township until the opportunity with Exeter presented itself.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with the Exeter Township Police Department, which has an excellent reputation, and to work with Chief Heim once again,” he said.
Powell’s employment agreement with Exeter is for three years. His annual salary is $160,000 with raises of 3.5% in each of 2027 and 2028.
The township manager may terminate his employment at any time for any reason, according to the agreement. Powell may terminate the agreement for any reason but must give 60 days’ notice.
The agreement requires the township to annually make a lump sum contribution of 6% of his annual salary into an individual retirement account of his designation.