Dear Neighbor,

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Berks County deserves a Sheriff with proven leadership, dedication to our community and expertise in public safety, not a political appointee. I’m Chris Rothermel, and I’m running to ensure we have a Sheriff’s Office that is well respected, well trained and protects the community.

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m not a politician. I’m a Police Officer with over 25 years of dedicated service to Berks County. I began my career in 1998 as a patrol officer for the City of Reading and steadily rose through the ranks, earning a reputation for commitment to justice, community engagement, and operational excellence.

As Captain of the Reading Police Department, I’ve demonstrated my ability to lead large teams, supervising over 100 officers and managing vital divisions, including Criminal Investigations, Services, and Patrol. I’ve played an instrumental role in overseeing critical functions such as budget planning, personnel management, and public safety initiatives. My leadership in the Reading PD ensured the successful implementation of advanced crime-fighting technologies, including new dispatch systems and surveillance programs to enhance public safety.

I’ve long supported the concept of community policing, and organized outreach programs such as "Coffee with a Cop", fostering trust and dialogue between law enforcement and residents. And my dedication extends beyond the badge, volunteering for over 20 years with the PA State Police Camp Cadet program, helping mentor and inspire youth in the region.

My expertise spans a wide range of public safety areas, including criminal investigations, emergency response, and policy development. And my ability to coordinate large-scale events and initiatives, such as managing the Reading Police Academy and supervising major crime scenes, reflects the exceptional organizational and decision-making skills I’ll bring to the Sheriff’s Office.

I’m committed to transparency, accountability, and innovative approaches to law enforcement, all of which I’ll bring to the Berks County Sheriff’s Office. With an eye toward the future and the experience needed for the job, I’m ready to lead by example.

 

Respectfully,