Whitemarsh Township has appointed Police Lt. Brian Mack as its first public safety director. The newly created position puts one person in charge of coordinating police, fire and emergency services across the township.

The township announced the appointment Wednesday, Sept. 16. Mack, a Whitemarsh native, has served as an officer in the township for more than 20 years.

The position had been in the works for months. A draft ordinance creating the public safety director role appeared in the township's Whitemarsh Weekly newsletter on May 7.

As public safety director, Mack will oversee coordination among the Police Department, the Fire Marshal's Office and the Emergency Services Management Administrator's Office, according to the township. The goal is to align those three branches around public safety, health and welfare for residents.

Before the appointment, Mack served as commander of the Police Department's Administrative Division. In that role he oversaw the Detective Division, the Traffic Safety Unit and the Patrol/Communications Division.

Mack holds credentials from two nationally recognized law enforcement leadership programs. He graduated from Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, an intensive program that has trained more than 21,500 students since 1983. He also completed the FBI National Academy, an invitation-only, 10-week program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The program is open to senior law enforcement leaders nominated by their agencies, and nominees must hold the rank of lieutenant or higher.

The township's announcement did not specify an effective start date for Mack's new role or say whether the position carries a different salary from his lieutenant rank. His reporting structure was also not detailed.

Residents with questions can contact the Whitemarsh Township Police Department at 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, or by phone at (610) 825-6530.