Honoring and commending Cheltenham Township Chief of Police, Stephen W. Ott, as he retires after 48 years of public service with the Cheltenham Township Police Department, and for his longstanding commitment to fostering a positive and cooperative law enforcement relationship with the Philadelphia Police Department.

WHEREAS, Through his many years of public service with the Cheltenham Township Police Department, Stephen Ott has remained committed to fostering a positive and cooperative law enforcement relationship with the Philadelphia Police Department and has demonstrated a sincere concern for the safety and well-being for all citizens in the surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Ott, a native Philadelphian who was born and raised in the City of Philadelphia and graduated from Frankford High School, was appointed to the Cheltenham Township Police Department on May 11, 1953, and is the longest serving police officer in the history of Cheltenham Township. He first served as a patrol officer and quickly rose through the ranks as he was promoted to Sergeant in 1959, Lieutenant in 1970, and Chief of Police in 1980 and has served in this capacity for over 21 years; and

WHEREAS, During his remarkable 48 year career, in which he was awarded the Bravery Commendation, the department's second highest official commendation, his vision and initiative has helped guide the Cheltenham Township Police Department to becoming the third largest municipal law enforcement agency in Montgomery County; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Ott has spearheaded the modernization of the Police Department to a state-of-the-art law enforcement agency by adding many special operations such as the Crime Prevention Unit, the Community Policing Unit, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, Civil Affairs Unit, Town Watch implementation, and he also was one of the original founders of the Montgomery County Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) training program, designed to increase the safety of officers and the public through safer operations of police vehicles; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and commends Cheltenham Township Chief of Police, Stephen W. Ott, as he retires after 48 years of public service with the Cheltenham Township Police Department, and for his longstanding commitment to fostering a positive and cooperative law enforcement relationship with the Philadelphia Police Department.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Cheltenham Township Chief of Police, Stephen W. Ott, as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

End