CHIEF CHRISTOPHER WOLFER took over leading the North Catasauqua Police Department when their longtime, beloved chief suddenly passed away, sending the entire department into a state of uncertainty. As the ranking officer, it was up to then-Corporal Wolfer to bring some semblance of order to the department. His leadership was quite apparent in those first days after the chief’s passing, and after an intensive interview process of numerous candidates, he was the clear choice to lead the agency.

In his two years since being appointed, Chief Wolfer overhauled the department with the long-term goal of earning accreditation. He made improvements in the department’s technology, acquired a new fleet of vehicles, and tripled the training budget within the department, ensuring the officers are the highest trained in the area. He’s undertaken the task of rewriting nearly all of the standard operating procedures, created the department’s first-ever detective position, and developed new systems for file management, along with overhauling the evidence room and procedures for processing and storing evidence.

Recently, Chief Wolfer focused the agency’s efforts in the area of community relations. In this endeavor, a new ride-along program was created and a junior police academy was developed. The agency also has undertaken very successful philanthropic efforts. Annual events and fundraisers focused on raising monies and acquiring gifts have now become the norm and those donations find their way to the cancer wards at local hospitals.

Chief Wolfer is still active in everyday patrol duties. He’s a wealth of knowledge for his colleagues and still conducts enforcement activities, all while undertaking the administrative functions of the department.

“As I made the transition to administration, my motivation shifted from wanting to better myself and my abilities to that of my officers.”