LOWER MERION — Lower Merion commissioners are expected to approve a new round of testing to fill a vacant police lieutenant position at their next meeting.

At its meeting last week, the Lower Merion Police Committee recommended that the commissioners, at their next meeting, authorize the township manager to request the Lower Merion Civil Service Commission to conduct a competitive examination to establish an eligibility list for the position of lieutenant in the police department.

According to township officials, the last time a promotion list for the lieutenant rank was established was in November 2022. Under the civil service regulations and state law, that list expired in November 2024.

Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andy Block told the commissioners the department needed to request the test for two reasons.

One was that a lieutenant’s position has been vacant since June 2024, and because the November 2024 expiration of the previous test that was done in 2022.

“So, as a result of that, under the civil service guidelines, we would need to conduct a competitive examination for the position of lieutenant,” Block said.

Township officials say they need to fill the vacancy for some important reasons.

“With the ever-increasing demand on police departments locally and nationally to improve community engagement, protect against domestic and international threats, address gun violence, and provide services customized to community expectations, a full complement of supervisory and management staff is essential to ensure efficient operation of the police department and to effectively deliver these services to our community,” according to a staff memo. “It is good practice to maintain valid lists for promotion. It is recommended that the board of commissioners authorize the township manager to request the Civil Service Commission to conduct a competitive promotional examination for the rank of lieutenant.”

The commissioners are expected to vote on authorizing the test at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Originally Published: January 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM EST