Thomas A. Johnson Jr. is the chief of the Dover Police Department.
For close to 41 years, I have been privileged to serve in public safety, as a firefighter, paramedic, police officer and now as chief of police for the city of Dover. From the first moment I raised my hand and swore an oath to the Constitution, I have believed that accountability, integrity and service to others must define a leader. Those values guided me when I led my hometown volunteer fire department, when I provided advanced life support care as a medic and when I served on the command staff of one of the largest police departments in southeastern Pennsylvania. And, today, as I fulfill the responsibilities of police chief in the capital city of the First State, those values — and the women and men I represent, past and present — continue to guide me.
When I was privileged to be sworn in as Dover’s chief, it was at a time of tremendous national upheaval. During that first year, the pandemic was reshaping every aspect of our lives, and trust in public institutions was at an all-time low. My goal then, as it is now, is to strengthen both safety and trust because Dover’s future depends on both.
In the years since, we have worked together to pursue best practices and bring innovation to our public safety strategies. After several decades, we revived the Dover Municipal Police Academy. We launched a Behavioral Health Unit, which continues to serve as a model co-responder resource. We expanded our Victim Services Unit to support hundreds of residents in times of personal crisis. Our patrol officers deployed naloxone more than 200 times last year, saving lives that might otherwise have ended too soon. These are not just programs; they are lifelines. They are part of a commitment to policing that recognizes that enforcement is only one part of the job — partnership is the other.
When evaluating enforcement efforts, the results are evident. Our detectives cleared 100% of homicide cases last year, along with an overwhelming majority of our major crimes. Our patrol and special unit officers seized close to 100 illegally possessed firearms and took deadly narcotics off our streets, making every neighborhood in Dover safer. This extraordinary success is not a statistical outlier; it occurs year after year.
Equally importantly, we have worked to strengthen the bonds between officers and the community. We have expanded the reach of our school resource officers, our youth academies and Police Athletic League programs, plus introduced our facility dog, Roy, who serves the well-being of both crime victims and officers. We invested in officer wellness because those who serve need to be supported if they are to serve well. The work isn’t over; there are still unsolved crimes, families who deserve closure and fragile relationships that need to be strengthened. The work continues.
This work is not easy. Growing as an organization rarely is. My commitment remains singularly focused on doing what is right, not what is easy. I welcome accountability. I welcome dialogue. I will always listen to concerns voiced in good faith because disagreement can lead to better solutions.
This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Dover Police Department. As we set the tone for the next 100 years, we must not take our focus off of strengthening trust in our communities, reducing crime and creating a workplace that every officer can be proud of. The Dover Police Department is not perfect; no organization of people ever is. What I do know for sure, though, is that our agency is filled with courageous women and men who dedicate themselves every day to serving this city with courage, professionalism and integrity. They deserve our respect, and they deserve leadership that is steady and forward-looking.
We are doing the hard work now to ensure that the police department is well prepared to meet the challenges of our shared future. In doing so, we remain committed to a Dover that is safer, stronger and more united. A police department that is proud of its service — while enforcing the law fairly, partnering with the community and continuing to evolve — is what a thriving city needs. I believe our shared vision is a place where residents have confidence and trust in their police officers. They should have the confidence to know we are working not just for safety today but for trust and prosperity in the years to come.
That is the work I have been honored to lead, and it is the work I will continue to pursue.
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