Mayor Ray O’Connell today appointed Tony Alsleben interim police chief in Allentown. He made the announcement during an afternoon news conference in City Council Chambers.

Alsleben succeeds interim Chief Glen Dorney who is retiring from the city today after 21 years and has accepted the job of police chief in nearby South Whitehall Township. Dorney had been appointed interim chief in March of last year.

Alsleben was born and raised in Allentown. He joined the department as a patrol officer in 2000 and was transferred to the Police Academy in December 2007. Alsleben was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December 2008 at which time he accepted the position of department Quartermaster. Alsleben assumed command of the Allentown Police Academy in September 2012. He was promoted to captain in 2014, serving the East Side and Center City over the next three years. He is currently administrative captain and is the police liaison for special events in the city.

Alsleben holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State University.

“Chief Alsleben will be a fine interim leader of the department,” said O’Connell. “I have gotten to know him from our conversations when he served as a PSA captain and I was a member of City Council. I could come to Tony with a problem from a constituent and it was immediately resolved. I have always found him to be open and honest and most informative.”

“I would like to thank Mayor O’Connell for this opportunity,” Alsleben said. “Being born and raised in Allentown, I am truly honored to be selected to lead our outstanding police department and serve our great citizens. I have been fortunate to work for some outstanding chiefs of this department. I look forward to getting to work and continuing the tremendous work and accomplishing great things like those who have come before me.”

Chief Dorney joined the department in 1997. He was promoted to sergeant in November 2005 and lieutenant in January 2010. Dorney was promoted to captain in September 2012 and had served as assistant chief in the department under Keith Morris before being named interim chief.

O’Connell also formally announced the retirement of Assistant Police Chief Bill Reinik, who leaves after 25 years on the force. Reinik had served as assistant chief of operations under Dorney.

And O’Connell announced that he has accepted the resignation of City Solicitor Dan McCarthy. “I want to thank Dan for stepping in after Susan Wild’s resignation and taking on the job during perhaps the most difficult three months in the city’s history. He has been a true public servant with a record dating back more than 30 years, including a four year stint as assistant city solicitor.”

The search for a new city solicitor will begin immediately.

--30--