North Wales has sworn in two new police officers

NORTH WALES — Two new officers have now been sworn into the North Wales Police Department.

The council welcomed new officers Colin Johnson and Justin Rathke as they were sworn in in front of friends and family on Tuesday night.

“I would like to say thank you to both officers for joining the force. We wish you the best of luck, hope you have great success, and we look forward to seeing you on patrol soon,” said Board Vice President Mark Tarlecki.

Johnson grew up in Montgomery Township, graduated from the Delaware County Police Academy in 2021 and joined the department in February 2022, Police Chief Dave Ehrenius told the council.

“When he’s not serving the people of North Wales, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends,” he said.

According to the chief, Rathke was born, raised and now lives in Warrington Township, joined the US Air Force after graduation and currently holds the rank of staff sergeant. He attended Bucks County Community College with an associate degree in fire science, is a volunteer firefighter in Warrington, and graduated from the Temple University Police Academy in March 2020.

“His hobbies include housework, going to the gym, jiu-jitsu, hunting, shooting, going to the fire station for training, playing Xbox and hanging out with his girlfriend – I think he has more time. ” than Johnson,” Ehrenius joked, to which District Manager Christine Hart quipped, “as long as it’s not in his patrol car.”

Each received their oath of office from Borough Mayor Neil McDevitt as they were surrounded by family and friends and received a standing ovation and handshakes from the council before posing for photographs. After the applause, Hart admonished in a friendly way, “I just want to tell you, Justin, don’t fire the manager like Colin already did,” before district attorney Greg Gifford said the two were joining forces with a big footprint.

“You’re joining a very, very famous group. There are more officers, retired chiefs, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants that have started working in North Wales Township,” Gifford said.

“If you go to any local department you will be amazed at how many local officers have started in North Wales. So you’re joining a very, very good line of “blue bloods,” he said.