The Upper Moreland Township Police Department announced today that Sergeant James Robb recently graduated from Pennsylvania Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School #32, which was held in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in April and May 2024.
According to the department, as a certified DRE, Sgt. Robb now has the ability to recognize when an individual has been driving under the influence of drugs and to identify the category of drug(s) causing the impairment.
From their announcement:
DRE School is a demanding and rigorous training program comprised of a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on practice, including a weeklong field certification phase where students apply their newly learned skills to identify drug impairment. The student also must pass a comprehensive final knowledge examination, which takes approximately eight (8) to twelve (12) hours to complete and obtain the written endorsement of two (2) certified DRE instructors to receive IACP credentials as a certified DRE. In order to maintain certification, DREs must complete a prescribed number of evaluations, attend continuing education trainings, and instruct DUI-related courses to other Officers/Troopers.
Sergeant Robb has consistently led UMPD in DUI related arrests for the past several years and represents the department on the Eastern Montgomery County DUI Task Force. We are grateful to Sergeant Robb for his dedication in keeping our roads and residents safe. Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Robb for this outstanding accomplishment!
In February, Sergeant Robb graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
In related news, Upper Moreland Township announced last week the appointment of Patrick Stasio as its newest Township Manager.
Stasio was appointed to serve as the Interim Township Manager in April and has served as the township’s Director of Parks and Recreation since 1997. He first joined the township in 1988, as the Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator, a position he held until January 1995.
Stasio has a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven in Recreation Management and a master’s degree in education from Temple University.
“Pat’s 35 years of institutional knowledge serving Upper Moreland Township is invaluable. Pat is a proven leader with a strong understanding of municipal government and a focus on how to better serve the Upper Moreland community. Pat has managed millions of dollars in grants and overseen a wide variety of projects ranging from planning to construction, including infrastructure projects, and parks and facilities improvement projects. In addition, he has experience in budgeting, administration, and oversight over Upper Moreland Township’s parks system and programs,” the township said in a statement.
“Pat has done an excellent job maintaining the continuity of operations over the past couple of months and the Board of Commissioners has the fullest confidence in his ability to lead the Township and the staff moving forward,” Upper Moreland Township Board President Kip McFatridge said. “In Pat’s career at Upper Moreland he has always focused on making a difference in the community and sustaining positive relationships with internal and external partners. He is well respected by residents, business leaders, and staff.”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve Upper Moreland Township and the community and I am honored to have the confidence of the Board of Commissioners to be selected as the Township Manager. I look forward to contributing in this role and moving the Township forward to meet our goals and advancing opportunities for all our residents in the coming years,” Stasio said.
From the township’s announcement:
The Upper Moreland Township Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick T. Stasio as its newest Township Manager. Although Patrick Stasio is new to the position, he is a well-known presence in our community, as he has been our Director of Parks and Recreation since 1997. Pat joined the Township in 1988, as the Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator, a position he held until January 1995. In July of 1997, Pat returned to Upper Moreland to the position of Parks and Recreation Director. Pat brings more than 35 years of municipal experience to the position. Pat holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lock Haven in Recreation Management and a Master’s degree in Education from Temple University.
Pat was appointed to serve as the Interim Township Manager since April. Pat’s 35 years of institutional knowledge serving Upper Moreland Township is invaluable. Pat is a proven leader with a strong understanding of municipal government and a focus on how to better serve the Upper Moreland community. Pat has managed millions of dollars in grants and overseen a wide variety of projects ranging from planning to construction, including infrastructure projects, and parks and facilities improvement projects. In addition, he has experience in budgeting, administration, and oversight over Upper Moreland Township’s parks system and programs.
Upper Moreland Township Board President Kip McFatridge said “Pat has done an excellent job maintaining the continuity of operations over the past couple of months and the Board of Commissioners has the fullest confidence in his ability to lead the Township and the staff moving forward. In Pat’s career at Upper Moreland he has always focused on making a difference in the community and sustaining positive relationships with internal and external partners. He is well respected by residents, business leaders, and staff.”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve Upper Moreland Township and the community and I am honored to have the confidence of the Board of Commissioners to be selected as the Township Manager. I look forward to contributing in this role and moving the Township forward to meet our goals and advancing opportunities for all our residents in the coming years,” Pat said.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Pat as he begins his new role as Township Manager.
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Photo: UMPD