The Gettysburg Borough Council officially welcomed its new chief Monday evening as David Snyder was formally sworn in during the borough council meeting, while also honoring two officers who guided the department through nearly a year of transition.
Snyder, who began work April 6, was formally appointed by borough council retroactive to his start date after completing Pennsylvania certification requirements. Mayor Alison Lintal administered the oath of office before council, police officers, and members of the public.
Borough Council President Matt Moon said the borough was pleased to have Snyder fully in place.
“As many of you in the public may know, just about a month ago, we hired David Snyder to be our new chief of police,” Moon said. “Having satisfactorily satisfied the requirements of the state of Pennsylvania, he can now be sworn in as our chief of police here in the borough of Gettysburg.”
Moon said the ceremony was also an opportunity to recognize officers who carried the department through a demanding transition.
“Members of this department have stepped up in challenging ways and have taken on the mantle of leadership while we engaged in the executive search,” Moon said.
Moon reserved his most extensive remarks for Sgt. Christopher Evans, who served as officer in charge for nearly a year.
“When Sergeant Evans was first promoted to Sergeant, council watched with great interest,” Moon said. “He began to forge his own path and work through inherited problems.”
Moon recalled a conversation with Evans early in his leadership tenure. “I remember asking him to lunch and listening to him explain his guiding ethos when it comes to background investigations, and that was quite simply, ‘No bad cops,’” Moon said. “He looked me in the eye and said it, and I knew then that he was a straight shooter, a capable and compassionate person, and exactly the type of person I want to put into a leadership position.”
Moon said Evans demonstrated strong leadership not only in his decisions, but in how he treated people.
“I’ve come to understand that the quality of his work output is tied directly to his character,” Moon said. “I’ve watched him take on the difficult work of mending fences, and even when he disagreed with me, he was always kind, professional, and understanding.”
Moon added that Evans had served people during some of their most difficult moments.
“He has been the only human element in some people’s most painful chapters,’ Moon said. “We’re truly lucky to get to work with Sergeant Evans.”
Lintal presented Evans with a formal proclamation recognizing his service, leadership, and contributions to the community.
“Sergeant Evans provided departmental oversight and professional leadership to 12 officers in the department while maintaining a high standard of public service to residents and visitors of our community,” Lintal said in the proclamation.
The proclamation also noted Evans’ recognition by Gettysburg College, which honored him earlier this year with its Outstanding Community Partner Award, as well as his completion of advanced FBI leadership training.
Moon also praised Officer Bill Orth, who served as acting sergeant during the transition.
“Bill is not the first officer I met when he came to town, but he was the first one to take me up on my plea to call me if he ever needed to talk,” Moon said.
Moon described Orth as “a capable, competent, and caring officer.”
“This year, Bill has continued to show that he’s not just a good officer but also a leader and a teacher,” Moon said. “He’s a calming presence and has so much to offer our young officers.”
Featured image caption: Snyder and Lintal.
Click here to view the full borough council meeting.
