ALLENTOWN – Daniel Panckeri has been named chief of the Allentown Police Department.
Panckeri, a lieutenant who had been leading the police department as Officer in Charge for a decade, was named chief during the 2020 reorganization meeting of the Allentown mayor and Borough Council on Jan. 7.
Borough Council President Robert Strovinsky and council members Angela Anthony, John A. Elder III, Michael Drennan, Martha Johnson and Dan Payson voted “yes” on a motion to appoint Panckeri as police chief.
Mayor Thomas Fritts said Panckeri “has worked here selflessly for years and built a team in the police department. The police are responsive to our residents and they know our children.”
Panckeri said he began his career in law enforcement in Seaside Heights as a seasonal officer in 1995. He said he spent two summers in Seaside Heights and was asked to stay past the summer to become a year round Special II officer in 1996.
He said he left Seaside Heights in early 1997 to work in Allentown as a part-time patrol officer. Several months later he was promoted to a full-time officer.
Panckeri advanced in the police department and attained the rank of corporal in 2003, sergeant in 2009 (when he became Officer in Charge and the administrative head of the police department) and lieutenant in 2012. At present, the force has six full-time officers, including the chief.
Asked about his goals for the police department, Panckeri said, “My goals as chief are much the same as my goals were as Officer in Charge. I want to continue to improve as the lead officer of the department and provide the best police department for our residents.
“My plan is, first and foremost, to retain our current group of good officers, and through professional development increase their value to our community.
“I would like to thank Mayor Fritts and our Borough Council members for their help and continued support. I would also like residents to be aware I am always available to them.
“Residents should feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns and I will do my best to respond promptly to their correspondence. My email is dpanckeri@allentownboronj.com
“Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their many years of support. I truly feel blessed to work in such a warm and inviting town,” Panckeri said.
In other police news at the reorganization meeting, Daniel D’Ascoli was appointed to the full-time position of patrolman in the Allentown Police Department. During 2019, D’Ascoli was hired as a Class II special law enforcement officer with the police department.
