The Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors has approved a retirement agreement with long-serving Chief of Police Mark Schmidt.
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Schmidt will transition to the role of police chief emeritus on Aug. 28, and he will remain in that position until his official retirement on Aug. 1, 2027.
The move was approved at May’s supervisors’ meeting.
Schmidt’s law enforcement career with the township spans more than four decades. He joined the department as an officer in 1980 and held several positions before being promoted to police chief in 1997.
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“Having served Upper Makefield Township with distinction for over forty years, Chief Schmidt leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Ben Weldon said. “The entire township thanks Mark for his unwavering service and commitment to Upper Makefield, and we wish him a well-earned retirement.”
Township Manager Gregg Schuster said the transition to the emeritus title is made possible due to the amount of accrued time off that Schmidt plans to use.
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Schuster said the title change allows the township to launch a search for a new chief to command the department, which consists of just under 20 officers.
Beyond his township duties, Schmidt has held various roles with professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association, and the Upper Makefield Business Association.
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At the meeting, Schmidt shared his gratitude to the township and the various supervisors he worked alongside throughout his career.
“You have a great police department,” Schmidt said. “The people who are over there right now are top kotch. I’ll be leaving you in a good hands.”
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