Southwestern Regional Police Chief resigns to help downsize the department

Southwestern Regional Police Chief Gregory Bean said in a news release that he will be resigning, effective June 5, 2019.

Bean has accepted a position with the PA Chiefs of Police Association in Harrisburg. The organization provides expert advice and consulting to departments across the state.

In September 2018, the police board started to discuss downsizing the department. Bean said he had a hard time reducing his personnel, so he started looking to see if he could be part of the solution, which led to his decision to leave. 

He has recommended to the police board that a member of Southwestern Regional Police take over as chief.

"We have very qualified people who could make the change seamlessly," Bean said.

Read:Southwestern Regional Police: Cost cuts, departing townships may be in department's future

Read:North Codorus Township rejects cost reduction, still leaving Southwestern Regional Police

For 20 years, Bean served as an officer in south Florida, and for the past 17 years he has been with Southwestern Regional police as chief. 

Bean and his family moved to York County when he accepted "one of the best opportunities a police officer could have — starting a brand new department," he said in the release.

"The board at the time trusted me to form a regional police department," he said.

Southwestern Regional Police Department was formed in 2002 and provides service to North Codorus, Manheim and Heidelberg townships and Spring Grove Borough. North Codorus Township recently informed the department that it was withdrawing from using its services. 

"Regionalization has been a tremendous asset to our area," Bean said in news release.  "Regionalization is not without its challenges. We are currently experiencing some discord by our member municipalities. Disagreements should be expected among any group; but the disagreements have had a very detrimental effect and have destabilized our very good police organization."

As chief, Bean learned that everything he does is accentuated. He said the highs are higher and the lows are lower.

But for Bean, the most gratifying thing about being a police officer is helping victims,  whether it's returning a child's bike or solving a bank robbery.    

He said the outpouring of well wishes and support has been "amazing."  

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.